Patent Application
20220379501
This disclosure is directed to hand-held cutting tools. More particularly, this disclosure is directed a utility knife. Specifically, the disclosure relates to a utility knife with an ergonomically designed handle having resilient grips for a user's palm and fingers and configured to hold a blade member with two opposed cutting surfaces. A tape engagement clip is provided on a leading end of the knife and is arranged to secure a free end of a measuring tape to the knife. The knife may be gripped and used in two different orientations that are located 180 degrees apart. The tape engagement clip is able to pivot to enable the free end of the measuring tape to be secured to the knife regardless of which cutting surface is being used to cut an article.
Utility knives are used for a variety of different uses. Utility knives may use fixed, folding, retractable, or replaceable blades and tend to come in a wide variety of lengths and styles suited to the particular set of tasks they are designed to perform. Presently known utility knives tend to fall into one of three categories. A first category is a foldable knife in which a single blade is pivotally engaged with a handle. The blade is pivoted between a use position and a folded position. In the use position, the blade extends forwardly from a front end of the handle and is able to be used to cut an object. When in the folded position, the blade is moved into a position where it lays in abutting contact with at least a part of the handle. In this folded position, the blade can no longer be used for cutting objects. These types of utility knives are useful for only a narrow range of tasks and have to be handled carefully as the person needs to grasp the blade to move it between the use position and the folded position. These types of knives may be suitable for use as camping or outdoor knives or as box cutters.
A second category of utility knife is a fixed-blade knife. Knives in this category have a handle with a blade extending outwardly and forwardly therefrom. The blade cannot be retracted or pivoted relative to the handle. Fixed-blade knives may be used for crafts and various hobbies. In other instances, the blade may be quite substantial and can be used as a hunting knife, for example. In these instances, the blade will typically be selectively coverable with some type of sheath when the knife is not in use. The sheath will help to prevent the cutting surface of the blade from being accidentally contacted and will thereby protect the person from accidental cuts. The sheath may also help to prevent the blade from coming into contact with objects that might damage the cutting surface.
A third category of utility knife is a retractable knife. In these knives, the blade is mounted on some type of sliding mechanism that allows a person to move the blade between a use position and a storage position. In the use position, at least a leading end of the blade projects forwardly from the handle. In the storage position, substantially the entire blade is moved into a cavity defined within the handle. The person is able to select the degree to which the blade is moved outwardly from the handle or inwardly into the handle. This type of knife is commonly used in the construction industry for performing tasks such as cutting sheets of drywall. Utility knives used in the construction industry tend to fall into three groups that have retractable and replaceable blades made of die-cast metal.
A first group of this third category of utility knife have blades that comprise an elongated strip made up of a plurality of segments which are separated from each other by lines of weakness. A plurality of these angled lines of weakness is provided at intervals along the strip. A bottom edge of the strip is sharpened and comprises a cutting surface of the blade. At least the first segment of the strip can be extended outwardly from a front end of the knife handle. The rest of the strip remains within the interior of the handle. The leading end of the strip, i.e., the first segment thereof, presents a first portion of the cutting surface and can be used to cut objects. When the cutting surface on the first segment becomes dull, the person is able to snap the first segment of the strip from the rest of the strip. A second segment of the strip then become a new leading end that may be extended outwardly from the handle. The second segment also include a second portion of the sharp cutting surface of the strip and can therefore be used to cut objects. When the cutting surface on the second segment becomes dulled, that second segment is snapped off the rest of strip and a third segment of the strip become the leading end, and so on. A plurality of these blade strips may be stored in the knife handle or the handle may be opened to reload a new strip when the original strip has been used up and discarded.
A second group of the third category of utility knives have blades that are generally trapezoidal in shape. The blades has a bottom edge that is sharpened into a cutting surface. The blades present a first angled end that extends in a first direction and a second angled end that extends in a second direction. The knife handle may be opened and one of these blades may be engaged with a sliding mechanism. When the blade is engaged, the handle is closed around the blade and the sliding mechanism may be operative to extend one of the first angled end and the second angled end outwardly from the handle housing. When the cutting surface on the first angled end or the second angled end becomes dull, the person will open the handle to gain access to the interior, will disengage the blade from the sliding mechanism, and will rotate the blade through 180 degrees. The blade will be reengaged with the sliding mechanism and the handle will be closed up again. The person may then operative the sliding mechanism to extend the other of the first and second angled ends outwardly from the housing. When the cutting surface on the other of the first and second angled ends becomes dull, the person will open up the handle, disengage the blade from the sliding mechanism, and then discard the blade. A new blade (which may be stored in the handle) is then engaged with the sliding mechanism, the handle is closed up again, and the utility knife may be used as previously described.
The knives of either of these two groups discussed above allow the person to adjust how far the blade extends outwardly from the handle so that the knife can safely be used for selected purposes. The knives can be used for tasks such as cutting tape sealing a package, cutting open sealed plastic packaging, or cutting drywall. As discussed above, if the blade becomes dull it can be quickly reversed or switched for a replacement blade. Spare or used blades may be stored in the hollow handle of some models and can be readily accessed if needed. Other knife models have a quick-change mechanism that allows the blades to be replaced without the use of additional tools. Specialized knives also exist for cutting string, linoleum, and other materials.
A third group of the third category of utility knives includes a simple sleeve that is provided around a rectangular handle and into which a single-edge utility blade may be inserted. The sleeve slides up or down on the handle, holding the blade in place during use and covering the blade when it is not in use. The blade holder may retract or fold into the handle, much like a folding-blade pocketknife. The blade holder is designed to expose just enough cutting surface as to enable the knife to cut through a single layer of corrugated fiberboard, for example, so as to minimize the chances of damaging the contents inside a cardboard box.
As indicated earlier herein, one of the tasks for which utility knives are used is cutting drywall sheets. Do-it-yourself enthusiasts may use a tape measure, pencil, and square or ruler to mark a line along the surface of a sheet of drywall. They will then extend a blade outwardly from the handle of one of the types of utility knife described herein and will use the blade thereof to cut the sheet of drywall. In some instances, they will also use a ruler or set square as a cutting guide to help keep them moving the blade along the marked line.
This is not how drywall professionals tend to cut drywall sheets. Professional drywall installers usually hold a utility knife in one hand and the end of a measuring tape is hooked over the thumb on the hand that is holding the knife. With the other hand they lock the tape at the correct distance and hook and slide the tape across the edge of the drywall sheet while simultaneously cutting the drywall. While this, at first glance, would seem to be a relatively simply operation, it takes years of practice to perfect the technique and cut drywall sheets at the desired location and to the correct size.
A utility knife, a blade member for use therewith, and a method of using the same; The knife has an ergonomically designed, symmetrical handle with resilient grips for a user's palm and fingers provided on opposing top and bottom walls of the housing. The blade member has two opposed cutting surfaces aligned with the housings top and bottom walls. A tape engagement clip is provided on a leading end of the knife and secures a free end of a measuring tape to the knife. The knife may be gripped and used in two different orientations located 180 degrees apart. The tape engagement clip pivots to enable the free end of the measuring tape to be secured to the knife regardless of which cutting surface is used to cut an article. Alternatively, the clip may be moved to the opposing side wall of the knife.
The present disclosure is directed to a retractable, replaceable blade which has a unique shape that increases the cutting life of the blade. The blade is a snap-off style blade with two edges and a dedicated shape. The disclosure is also directed to a utility knife that is configured to receive the disclosed blades. The disclosure is further directed to a utility knife that is particularly useful for tasks such as cutting drywall. The utility knife in accordance with the present disclosure includes a tape engagement mechanism that enables a person to lock an end of a tape from a measuring tape with the knife. The tape engagement mechanism includes a swivel that helps to eliminate misalignment between the tape and knife. The knife also has rubber grips on its ergonomically designed handle and be used by both left handed and right handed persons.
In one aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a utility knife comprising a housing having a first end and a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween; said housing defining an interior cavity that is accessible through an opening defined in the first end; a blade member received in the interior cavity and being selectively movable relative to the first end between a retracted position and an extended position; and when in the extended position, a portion of the blade member extends outwardly through the opening and beyond the first end; and a first side wall and a second side wall that each extend from the first end to the second end, and have a midline that is parallel to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the first side wall and the second side wall are substantially symmetrical about the midline. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing may further include a top wall and an opposed bottom wall that extend between the first side wall and the second side wall from the first end to the second end, and wherein the top wall and the bottom wall are substantially identical to each other and are arranged as mirror images of each other. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the top wall and the bottom wall may define a projection that extends outwardly for a greater distance from the midline than a rest of the top wall and the bottom wall, respectively, and wherein each projection includes a downwardly angled surface that extends from an apex of the projection towards the first end of the housing; and wherein the downwardly angled surface is adapted to selectively receive a thumb pad of a user of the utility knife thereon. In an exemplary embodiment a first overmold may be provided on the top wall; and a second overmold may be provided on the bottom wall; and each of the first overmold and the second overmold may comprise a resilient material. In an exemplary embodiment each of the first overmold and the second overmold may have alternating ribs and spaces, wherein the ribs are of varying heights and are arranged as a series of undulating hills and valleys.
In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment may further comprise a tape engaging clip provided on one of the first side wall and the second side wall of the housing wherein the tape engaging clip defines a passage therein, and wherein the passage is adapted to selectively receive a portion of a free end of a measuring tape therein. In an exemplary embodiment, the tape engaging clip may be selectively rotatable about an axis that is oriented at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the housing.
In another aspect, the blade member utilized with the utility knife may have a first edge and a second edge that are aligned with the top wall and the bottom wall of the housing, respectively, and at least a portion of each of the first edge and the second edge is sharpened to form a cutting surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the blade member may have a first end and an opposed second end that extend between the first edge and the second edge; and the blade member has a midline that is substantially equidistant from the first edge and the second edge; and the blade member is symmetrical about the blade member's midline. In an exemplary embodiment, the first end of the blade member may include a first tip proximate an intersection of the first end and the first edge and a second tip at an intersection of the first end and the second edge, and wherein the first tip and second tip are substantially identical in shape. In an exemplary embodiment, the first tip and the second tip may each be an inverted V-shape and extend outwardly from blade member in generally the same direction. In an exemplary embodiment, the first tip and the second tip may be substantially J-shaped, and the first tip and the second tip may be arranged on the blade member as mirror images of each other.
In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a blade member for a utility knife comprising a planar member having a first end and a second end opposed to the first end; a first edge and a second edge opposed to the first edge; wherein the first edge and the second edge extend between the first end and the second end; and a first side and a second side opposed to the first side; wherein the first side and the second side extend between the first edge and the second edge; wherein at least a portion of the first edge is sharpened into a first cutting surface; and wherein at least a portion of the second edge is sharpened into a second cutting surface.
In an exemplary embodiment each of the first side and second side of the planar member may have a midline that is generally equidistant from the first edge and the second edge, and the planar may be is substantially symmetrical about the midline. In one exemplary embodiment one or more lines of weakness may be defined in the first side and the second side of the planar member and may extend between the first cutting surface and the second cutting surface, wherein each of the one or more lines of weakness may be substantially identical in shape to the first end of the planar member. In an exemplary embodiment the planar member may include a first tip defined proximate an intersection of the first end and the first edge and a second tip defined proximate an intersection of the first end and the second edge. In an exemplary embodiment, the first tip and the second tip may be identical in shape and extend generally in the same direction. In an exemplary embodiment, the first tip and the second tip may be identical in shape and arranged as mirror images of each other.
In another aspect, and exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a method of cutting a drywall sheet comprising moving a blade member longitudinally along a longitudinal axis of a utility knife housing from a retracted position to an extended position; providing a first cutting surface and a second cutting surface along opposed first and second edges of the blade member; gripping the utility knife housing in either of a first orientation or a second orientation in either of a user's left hand or right hand of the user; cutting the drywall sheet with the first cutting surface when the utility knife housing is held in the first orientation and cutting the drywall sheet with the second cutting surface when the utility knife housing is held in the second orientation, where the first orientation and second orientation are 180 degrees apart from each other.
In an exemplary embodiment the method may further comprise securing a free end of a measuring tape to a tape engagement clip provided on a leading end of the utility knife housing. The method may further comprise extending a length of the measuring tape outwardly from a measuring tape housing and holding the measuring tape housing a distance outwardly from the utility knife and adjacent a surface of an article, and cutting the article with one of the first cutting surface or the second cutting surface. In an exemplary embodiment the method may include pivoting the tape engagement clip through 180 degrees when the utility knife housing is moved from the first orientation to the second orientation. In an exemplary embodiment, the securing may be temporary. In one embodiment the method may include engaging the tape engaging clip with one of a first side wall and a second side wall of the leading end of the utility knife housing and moving the tape engaging clip to the other of the first side wall and the second side wall prior to moving the utility knife housing from the first orientation to the second orientation and vice versa. In one embodiment the securing may include inserting a vertical leg of the free end of the measuring tape into a passage defined in the tape engaging clip.
A sample embodiment of the disclosure is set forth in the following description, is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are fully incorporated herein and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various examples, methods, and other example embodiments of various aspects of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in some examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of another element may be implemented as an external component and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale.
Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.
Referring to
Referring to
In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, housing 12 comprises a first housing section 20 and a second housing section 22. First and second housing sections 20, 22 are complementary with each other and are configured to be interlockingly engaged together. When interlockingly engaged, first and second housing sections 20, 22 together form an ergonomic shape that makes housing easy and comfortable for a person to hold and manipulate.
First and second housing sections 20, 22 are fabricated from any suitable material in any suitable manner. For example, one or both of first and second housing sections 20, 22 may be molded from plastic or die-cast from metal or may be partially fabricated from metal and partially fabricated from plastic. It will be understood, however, that any suitable materials may be selected to fabricate housing 12.
First housing section 20 is an integrally-formed component which has a first end 20a, a second end 20b, a top wall 20c, a bottom wall 20d, a first side wall 20e, and a second side wall 20f. First end 20a and second end 20b are opposed to each other and define a longitudinal direction therebetween. Top wall 20c and bottom wall 20d are opposed to each other and define a vertical direction therebetween. First side wall 20e and second side wall 20f are opposed to each other and define a lateral or transverse direction therebetween. First side wall 20e has a midline “M” (
A longitudinally-extending slot 20g is defined by second side wall 20f. Slot 20g extends from first end 20a to second end 20b and divides second side wall 20f into an upper wall section 20f′ and a lower wall section 20f. Slot 20g extends substantially parallel to midline “M”. Upper wall section 20f′ is integral with top wall 20c and lower wall section 20f″ is integral with bottom wall 20d. As best seen in
First housing section 20, when viewed from either of first end 20a or second end 20b, is generally C-shaped in cross-section. Together, top wall 20c, first side wall 20e, bottom wall 20d and second side wall 20f (i.e., 20f′ and 20f″) bound and define an interior cavity 20h. An opening 20a′ (
In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, top wall 20c and bottom wall 20d are substantially identical in configuration and are arranged on first housing section 20 as mirror images of each other. Each of top wall 20c and bottom wall 20d is formed to include a V-shaped region that is located a distance rearwardly from first end 20a. The V-shaped region on top wall 20c is identified by the reference number 20j (
Referring to
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a first overmold 24 is provided on top wall 20c and a second overmold 26 is provided on bottom wall 20d. First overmold 24 and second overmold 26 extend from a location rearward of the respective V-shaped region 20j, 20k to a location forward of second end 20b. First and second overmolds 24, 26 preferably are soft, resilient rubber overmolds but it will be understood that any other suitable material may be utilized for first and second overmolds 24, 26.
First and second overmolds 24, 26 are substantially identical in structure and function but are arranged on first housing section 20 as mirror images of each other. First overmold 24 includes a plurality of ribs 24a that are arranged so that a space 24b is defined between adjacent ribs 24a. The ribs 24a are of varying heights (where the height is the distance from curved top wall 20c to a free end of the rib). The ribs 24a are grouped by height to form alternating peaks and valleys giving the first overmold 24 the appearance of a sine wave when the front or back of the first housing section 20 is viewed (
As best seen in
Referring now to
In addition to the differently shaped end ribs 28c, 28d, a rim 28e bounds and defines an aperture (
Turning now to
Second side wall 22f is comprised of an upper section 22f′ and a lower section 22f″. An elongated slot 22g is defined between a lower edge of upper section 22f′ and an upper edge of lower section 22f″. Upper section 22f′, top wall 22c, first side wall 22e, bottom wall 22d, and lower section 22f″ bound and define an interior chamber 22h (
In accordance with the present disclosure, a forwardmost end 22k (
As best seen in
In accordance with another feature of the present disclosure, first side wall 22e is longer than second side wall 22f. This can be seen in
Second housing section 22 is engaged with first housing section 20 by inserting second end 22b through opening 20a′ in first end 20a of first housing section 20 and into interior chamber 20h. Second housing section 22 is moved rearwardly until second end 22b thereof extends outwardly through opening 20b′ in second end 20b of first housing section 20. Rear movement of second housing section 22 is arrested when the curved first section 22e′ of first side wall 22e is complementarily nested with curved first section 20m′ of first side wall 20e of first housing section 22. Second housing section 22 may be retained in engagement with first housing section 20 by friction. Alternatively an adhesive may be applied to a portion of the exterior surface of second housing section 22 that will be proximate the interior surface of first housing section. The adhesive may be applied prior to inserting the second housing section 22 into the interior chamber 20h of first housing section 20. When second housing section 22 is engaged with first housing section 20, a first part of the second housing section 22 extends forwardly beyond first end 20a of first housing section 20; and a second part of second housing section 22 extends rearwardly beyond second end 20b of first housing section 20.
Additionally, unlike previously-known blade members used with previously-known utility knives, both top edge 14c and the bottom edge 14d of blade member 14 are sharpened to form cutting surfaces. In previously-known blade members, only the bottom edge is sharpened into a cutting surface. This is the case even if the previously-known blade has had two tips extending in opposite directions from each other; the same single cutting surface is provided on that blade. Because of this arrangement, it is has been necessary for a user to open up the previously-known knife housing, rotate the previously-known blade through 180°, and then close the housing once again. In the presently disclosed knife 10, all that is required to provide a fresh cutting surface is to rotate the housing 12 through 180°.
Furthermore, because of the presence of two cutting surfaces 14c, 14d and two tips 14g, 14h, blade member 14, and thereby knife 10, is capable of being used in two different orientations that are 180 degrees apart. Previously-known utility knives have only been able to be used in a single orientation and that is with the single sharpened cutting surface (i.e., the sharped bottom edge) of the previously-known blade members positioned to contact a surface to be cut. With the presently-disclosed knife 10, either of the sharpened cutting surfaces of the top edge 14c and the bottom edge 14d may be brought into contact with a surface to be cut.
A plurality of lines of weakness 14j are defined at spaced intervals along the length of blade member 14. Each line of weakness 14j is substantially identical in configuration to front end 14a. In other words, each line of weakness 14j is substantially U-shaped. The lines of weakness separate blade segments from each other.
Blade member 14 is received within interior chamber 22h of second housing section 22 in an orientation that places rearmost blade segment 14k′ closest to second end 20b of first housing section 20 and places a leading blade segment 14k (i.e., the one that includes first end 14a) closes to first end 20a of first housing section 20.
Blade member 14 is secured to second housing section 22 by locking mechanism 16. Locking mechanism 16 comprises a carriage 30 and a locking knob 32.
Locking knob 32 includes a head 32a and a threaded shaft 32b. Shaft 32b passes through aperture 30g in carriage 30 and the threads on shaft 32b threadably engage the threads bounding aperture 30g. A free end of shaft 32b is received within groove 22j defined in first side wall 22e of second housing section 22. When locking knob 32 is rotated in a first direction, the free end of shaft 32b does not contact the inner surface of first end wall 22e and carriage 30 is therefore able to be moved longitudinally within interior chamber 22h in one of a first direction “A” (
As indicated earlier herein, knife 10 also includes a tape engagement clip 18. Tape engagement clip 18 is provided to enable a person to lock a free end of a measuring tape therein, as will be described later herein. Tape engagement clip 18 shown in
Referring to
It will be understood that, on other occasions, the knife 10 may be rotated through 180 degrees to present the cutting surface of the top edge 14c of blade member 14 to cut a surface. If this is the case, then the person's thumb pad will rest on the upward-curving surface 20k′ (
The surfaces 20j′ and 20k′ also advantageously position the person's thumb proximate the first side wall 22e and second side wall 22f of second housing section 22. Should the user not wish to engage a tape engagement clip 18 with knife 10, the location of surfaces 20j′ and 20k′ places the thumb in the correct position to hold the end of the measuring tape against one or the other of the first section wall 22e and second side wall 22f.
Additionally, when the pad of the person's thumb is resting on one or the other of the surfaces 20j′ and 20k′, the locking knob 32a of locking mechanism 16 does not need to be positioned against the user's palm. In previously-known utility knives, if a left-handed user grasps the knife in the only orientation that can be used to cut a surface, the head of the locking knob will contact the user's palm. This contact causes the person to grip the previously-known utility knives awkwardly and this leads to premature fatigue of hand and wrist. In the presently known knife 10, the configuration of the upper and lower sections 20f′ and 20f″ of the second side wall 20f also helps to reduce the likelihood of the person contacting the head 32a of the locking knob 32 with their hand. The upper and lower sections 20f′, 20f″ angle outwardly away from each other and thus effectively recess at least a portion of the head 32a of the locking knob 32 a distance away from the user's palm. The effective recessing of the head 32a of the locking knob 32 can be seen in
As indicated earlier herein, knife 10 is particularly well suited to cut drywall sheets. The person may desire to measure the width of the drywall sheet to be cut simultaneously with making the cut. In order to make this possible, the person will engage a measuring tape 60 with knife 10. This is shown in
Once measuring tape 60 is engaged with knife 10, the person is able to position a measurement marking on the strip 60a that is remote from the knife 10 and end 62 with an edge of a drywall sheet. The cutting surface of the knife 10 is then drawn along the drywall sheet cutting the same at the desired distance from the edge of the sheet. The knife 10 holds the end 62 of the measuring tape 60 to it, making it possible for the person to concentrate on measuring the desired distance more accurately instead of struggling to hold the end of the tape adjacent the knife as was done in the past. Because tape measuring assembly 18 is capable of rotating about the shaft of fastener 34, the tape 60 will not be twisted and rotated as the person seeks to properly angle the knife 10 to enable the blade member 14 to cut the surface of the drywall sheet. In some instances, for example, the measuring tape is oriented at 90 degrees relative to the drywall and the knife is perhaps oriented at an angle of about 45 degrees to the drywall. The fact that the tape engagement clip 18 is able to rotate or swivel about an axis oriented at right angles to the longitudinal axis “Y” helps to eliminate misalignment between measuring tape 60a, knife 10, and a sheet of drywall.
When it is no longer desired to engage measuring tape 60 with knife 10, the person will simply lift end 62 upwardly to withdraw second leg 62b out of passage 18g. The lowering of end 62 toward tape engagement clip 18 and the raising of end 62 from its engagement with tape engagement clip 18 is identified in
When all of the blade segments 14k have been removed from blade member 14 except blade segment 14k′ (i.e., the rearmost segment), and the cutting surfaces 14c, 14d of rearmost blade segment 14k′ are too dull for use, blade member 14 may be disengaged from carriage 30 and a new blade member (such as the one illustrated in
First end 114a of blade member 114 (and all lines of weakness 114j) is generally U-shaped. Top and bottom edges 114c, 114d together with first end 114a form two J-shaped tips 114g, 114h that are oriented as mirror images of each other on each blade segment 114k of blade member 114. These hook-shaped tips 114g, 114h are particularly useful for cutting surfaces such as roofing shingles.
Blade member 114 is utilized in knife 10 in exactly the same manner as blade member 14. When cutting surfaces 114c, 114d become dulled on the leading blade segment 114k″, that segment is simply snapped off blade member 114. The blade segment which then forms the leading edge of blade member 114 is substantially identical to the removed blade segment 114k″. When the rearmost blade segment's cutting surfaces become dulled, rearmost blade segment 14k′ is disengaged from the carriage 30 on knife 10 and a new, replacement blade segment 114 (or blade segment 14) is engaged therewith.
Additionally, unlike previously-known blade members used with previously-known utility knives, both top edge 114c and the bottom edge 114d of blade member 114 are sharpened to form cutting surfaces. In previously-known blade members, only the bottom edge is sharpened into a cutting surface. Because of the presence of two cutting surfaces 114c, 114d and two tips 114g, 114h, blade member 114, and thereby knife 10, is capable of being used in two different orientations that are 180 degrees apart. Previously-known utility knives have only been able to be used in a single orientation and that is with the single sharpened cutting surface (i.e., the sharped bottom edge) of the previously-known blade members positioned to contact a surface to be cut. With the presently-disclosed knife 10, either of the sharpened cutting surfaces of the top edge 114c and the bottom edge 114d may be brought into contact with a surface to be cut.
The presence of these two cutting surfaces on a single blade segment 14k, 114k means that the knife 10 that includes blade member 14 or 114 can be used for twice as long as previously known knives without requiring the user to snap off a blade segment or to physically open the knife housing to rotate the presented blade segment through 180° to present a fresh, sharp cutting surface for use.
It will be understood that other differently configured blade members may be utilized with knife 10, where those other differently configured blade members have two opposed cutting surfaces other than the V-shaped or J-shaped configurations disclosed herein. For example, a different type of blade member (not shown) may include one V-shaped tip (such as tip 14g or 14h) and one J-shaped tip (such as tip 114g or 114h).
Referring now to
Second housing section 222 is substantially identical to second housing section 22 in structure and function except for the forwardmost portions of top wall 222c and bottom wall 222d that extend outwardly and forwardly from the first end 220a of first housing section 220. The forwardmost portions of top wall 222c and bottom wall 222d are wider (measured between first side wall 222e shown in
Tape engagement clip 218 comprises a plate 218a and a flange 218b that extends outwardly from an outer surface of plate 218a. Plate 218a is substantially circular in shape, and flange 218b is oriented at right angles to the outer surface of plate 218a. Flange 218b is formed by creating a fold in the material utilized to form plate 218a although in other embodiments, flange 218b may be welded or otherwise secured to outer surface of plate 218a. Flange 218b preferably is oriented along a diameter of plate 218a although this is not necessary. As shown in
Plate 218a is of a thickness (measured between the outer surface and an inner surface thereof) that is complementary to the width of channels 222t, 222x. Plate 218a is received in opposed channels 222t in top and bottom walls 222c, 222d such that the inner surface of plate 218a is placed in abutting contact with second side wall 222f as shown in
Referring now to
Second housing section 322 is substantially identical to second housing section 22 except that the aligned holes 22n are missing. The third embodiment tape engagement 318 assembly comprises a U-shaped bracket 318a that defines a passage 318b between the bracket and one of the first side wall 322e and the second side wall 322f, or each of the first side wall 322e and second side wall 322f. Bracket 318a is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis “Y” of knife 10. The passage 318b is of a sufficient length and width to receive the vertical leg of the end 62 of measuring tape 60 therethrough, as has been previously described herein. Unlike the first and second embodiments of tape engaging clip18, 218, the presently disclosed third embodiment of the tape engaging clip318 is not able to rotate about an axis oriented at right angles to longitudinal axis “Y”.
Referring now to
A U-shaped tab 418d is cut-out of an upper region of first leg 418a and a rearward portion of second leg 418b. The tab 418d is bent generally into an L-shape and is angled rearwardly to extend above second leg 418b and the top of first leg 418a. The cut-out region of second leg 418b defines a passage 418e in second leg 418b through which an end 62 of a measuring tape 60 may be inserted as shown in
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a through-hole 418f is defined in first leg 418a. Hole 418f extends from inner surface of first leg 418a through to an outer surface thereof. A reinforcing ring 418g (
Referring now to
An upper edge of first leg 518a is curved to give the first leg 518a a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. The curved upper edge also defines curved corners at either end thereof. These curves help to ensure that few sharp edges are presented on tape engagement clip 518 that might accidentally injure a user during used of the tape engagement clip.
An aperture 518e is defined in of second leg 418b and defines a passage through which a vertical leg of an end 62 of a measuring tape 60 is inserted to engage a measuring tape 60 thereto as shown in
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a through-hole 518f is defined in first leg 518a. Hole 518f extends from inner surface of first leg 518a through to an outer surface thereof. A reinforcing ring 518g (
It will be understood that while it has been disclosed herein that the various tape engagement clips are able to be moved from adjacent a first side wall of the second housing section to adjacent the second side wall thereof, in other instances the user is able to simply rotate the tape engagement clip about the axis that is oriented at right angles to the longitudinal axis “Y” so that the knife 10 can be used by a left handed person or by a right handed person. The tape engagement clip can also be rotated about the axis that is oriented at right angles to longitudinal axis “Y” to change a direction in which the user able to simultaneously measure and cut with the knife.
In one aspect, a method of cutting a drywall sheet includes moving a blade member 14 longitudinally along a longitudinal axis “Y” of a utility knife housing 12 from a retracted position (where the first end 14a of blade member 14 does not extend beyond first end 22a of second housing section 22) to an extended position (where first end 14a of blade member 14 does extend outwardly beyond first end 22a of second housing section 22). The extended position is shown in
The method further may include cutting a sheet of drywall with the first cutting surface of first edge 14c or with the second cutting surface of second edge 14d. The particular cutting surface utilized depends on whether housing 12 is in the first orientation or second orientation as described above.
The method further includes gripping utility knife 10 in a user's left hand or right hand by resting a palm of the user's left hand or right hand on a first overmold 24 provided on a top wall 20c of the utility knife housing 12; and resting the fingers of the user's left hand or right hand on a second overmold 26 provided on the bottom wall 20d of the utility knife housing 12. Alternatively, gripping utility knife 10 may comprise resting a palm of the user's left hand or right hand on second overmold 26 provided on bottom wall 20d of housing 12 and resting the user's finger of the user's left hand or right hand on first overmold 24 provided on top wall 20c of housing 12.
The method further includes fabricating first overmold 24 and the second overmold 26 from a resilient material. The resilient material may be rubber. The fabricating includes forming one first overmold 24 and second overmold 26 as a series of alternating ribs 24a, 26a and spaces 24b, 26b. The fabricating further comprises utilizing ribs 24a, 26a of different heights along a length of the associated first overmold 24 and the second overmold 26 and arranging the ribs 24a, 26a of different heights into a series of hills and valleys that resemble a sine wave as seen in
The fabricating further includes forming housing 12 to include a first side wall and an opposed second side wall having a midline “M” (
The method may further include forming the utility knife housing 12 as a first housing section 20 and a second housing section 22; receiving a portion of the second housing section 22 in an interior cavity 20h defined by the first housing 20; extending a leading end of the second housing section 22 outwardly from an opening to the interior cavity 20h; and receiving the blade member 14 within an interior chamber 22h defined by second housing section 22.
In another aspect, the method may comprise positioning a free end 62 of a measuring tape 60 adjacent one of a first side wall 22e and a second side wall 22f of a leading end of the utility knife housing 12. The positioning may further include securing the free end 62 of the measuring tape 60 to the leading end of the utility knife housing 12. The securing may be temporary in that the free end of the measuring tape 60 may be disengaged from its engagement with the utility knife housing. The securing may include engaging a tape engaging clip 18 with one of the first side wall 22e and the second side wall 22f of the leading end of the utility knife housing 12. The securing may further include inserting a vertical leg 62b of the free end 62 of the measuring tape 60 into a passage 18g defined in the tape engaging clip 18. (Disengaging measuring tape 60 from knife 10 includes removing vertical leg 62b of free end 62 from the passage 18g. The method may further include extending a length of measuring tape 60 from a measuring tape housing and positioning the measuring tape housing a distance from the free end 62, and maintaining the measuring tape housing the distance away from the free end 62 while cutting the drywall sheet with one or the other of the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge.
The method may further include rotating the tape engaging clip 18 about an axis oriented at right angles to a longitudinal axis “Y” of the utility knife housing 12. The axis oriented at right angles to longitudinal axis “Y” extends along a shaft of fastener 34 that is utilized to secure tape engaging clip 18 to housing 12. The rotating of tape engaging clip 18 is undertaken when selecting to change from using a first cutting surface of the first edge 14c of the blade member 14 to using a second cutting surface of the second edge 14d of the blade member 14, and vice versa. The method further comprises rotating the utility knife housing through 180 degrees about the longitudinal axis “Y” after selecting which of the first cutting surface and the second cutting surface to utilize to cut an article such as a drywall sheet.
Various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.
While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.
All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.
The articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims (if at all), should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.
As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.
When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.
Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper”, “above”, “behind”, “in front of”, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “lateral”, “transverse”, “longitudinal”, and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.
Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describe various features/elements, these features/elements should not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element. Thus, a first feature/element discussed herein could be termed a second feature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussed herein could be termed a first feature/element without departing from the teachings of the present invention.
An embodiment is an implementation or example of the present disclosure. Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the invention. The various appearances “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments.
If this specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.
Any method of performing the present disclosure may occur in a sequence different than those described herein. Accordingly, no sequence of the method should be read as a limitation unless explicitly stated. It is recognizable that performing some of the steps of the method in a different order could achieve a similar result.
In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.
In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.
Moreover, the description and illustration of various embodiments of the disclosure are examples and the disclosure is not limited to the exact details shown or described.
This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/784,303, filed Feb. 7, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16784303 | Feb 2020 | US |
| Child | 17886913 | US |
