Patent ID: 7080455
Filing Date: 2006-07-25
Classification: B26B

Abstract:
1. A cutting apparatus, comprising: a first subassembly having a first handle and a blade connected to the first handle, the blade including a proximal end portion attached to the handle, a distal end portion, and a cutting edge intermediate the proximal and distal end portions; a second subassembly having a second handle and a substantially resiliently deformable anvil connected to the second handle; the first and second subassemblies being adapted to be manually snapped together to form a blade-and-anvil cutters and to be manually unsnapped to enable independent use of the first subassembly as a knife; wherein the second subassembly includes first and second separate and elongated anvil-mounting members that connect the anvil to the second handle there between and at opposite ends thereof, said first and second anvil-mounting members being spaced apart to define a blade-receiving opening intermediate the second handle and the anvil for receiving the first subassembly there through; wherein the second subassembly includes a pin disposed on a portion thereof that extends across the blade-receiving opening between the first and second anvil-mounting members for joining the separate anvil-mounting members together as a unit; wherein the first subassembly defines a pin-receiving recess in the first handle such that the action of a user advancing the first subassembly through the blade-receiving opening causes the pin on the second subassembly to be moved radially into the pin-receiving recess in the first handle, such results in the pin on the second subassembly snapping securely into the pin-receiving recess in the first handle in order to pivotally engage the first subassembly and enable use of the first and second subassemblies together as a blade-and-anvil cutters; and wherein the second subassembly does not include a pivot stud of non-circular cross section that passes freely into the pin-receiving recess when the first and second subassemblies are pivoted approximately 135 degrees relative to each other from a normally closed position.