Patent ID: 6330749
Filing Date: 2001-12-18
Classification: B26B

Abstract:
An adjustable safety utility knife comprising an elongated ergonomically shaped handle formed of two elongate shell members each having a peripheral edge; fastening means for fastening said shell members at said peripheral edges along a vertical parting plane to form an elongated internal cavity, said handle defining a front end, a back end and an intermediate portion suitable for being gripped by a user and also defining top and bottom surfaces extending along opposite sides of said shell members along said peripheral edges, said handle having a slot-like aperture at said front end substantially aligned with said parting plane and dimensioned for passage of a flat cutting blade therethrough; guide means within said elongated cavity for guiding the cutting blade between a first position for safely storing the blade fully inside said cavity and a second position for selectively extending the blade beyond said aperture to expose at least a portion thereof; a manually operated button arranged on said top surface and coupled to said guide means for selectively moving the blade between said first and second positions, said handle having a rear opening at same back end for providing access to said elongated internal cavity; a carrier frame having a blade cartridge receiving compartment and dimensioned to be slideably removably receivable within said cavity through said rear opening for movements along the longitudinal direction of said handle between a retracted position in which said carrier frame is fully stored within said internal cavity of said handle end and an extended position in which said carrier frame is at least partially moved exteriorly of said back end to provide access of said cartridge receiving compartment; and a blade cartridge for storing a plurality of flat cutting blades receivable within said blade cartridge receiving compartment, dimensioned for passage, from said blade cartridge, of a flat cutting blade therethrough.