Abstract:
A multi-tasking utility tool comprising a body; a knife compartment coupled to the body, wherein the knife compartment contains a cutting tool, the cutting tool configured to extend out from the knife compartment; and a cartridge unit coupled to the body, the cartridge unit having a first writing instrument and a second writing instrument, wherein the first writing instrument and the second writing instrument are positioned opposite from one another, the cartridge unit rotatable between a first position and a second position, further wherein the first writing instrument is positioned within the body in the first position and extends away from the body in the second position.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Serial No. 60/312,131, filed Aug. 13, 2001, and entitled “THREE-IN-ONE UTILITY TOOL”. The Provisional Patent Application, Serial No. 60/312,131 filed Aug. 13, 2001, and entitled “THREE-IN-ONE UTILITY TOOL” is also hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of hand held tools. More specifically, the present invention relates to the field of a multi-tasking tool having a knife blade and a rotatable and/or replaceable cartridge having a plurality of instruments. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the existing world of tools many different types of cutting tools are available. One of these cutting tools is a box cutting tool or an Exacto knife. The knife portion in the box cutting knife is sufficiently sharp such that the knife will easily cut through material. Therefore, many carpenters and tool users mark where the material is to be cut before using the Exacto knife to cut the material. Also, when using such a knife to open boxes, a writing instrument is useful to input markings on the box regarding the contents of the box. Thus, the user must keep a pen or marker nearby when using a box cutting knife. Although box cutting knives are very popular, the knife blade is very sharp and therefore dangerous. Box cutting knives have a knife switch on the top of the body which slides between an extended and a retracted position. When the knife switch is in the retracted position, the knife itself is contained within the body of the tool. However, when the user wants to use the knife, he or she pushes the knife switch forward to the extended position, whereby the knife extends out a front slot. Box cutting knives do not have a safety mechanism which automatically causes the knife to retract within the body of the cutting tool when not in use. Thus, a user may easily cut herself if not paying attention to the knife blade. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the invention, a utility tool comprises a body having a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end are positioned on opposite ends of the body. A cutting tool is positioned within the body, wherein the cutting tool is configured to extend out from the first end. A cartridge unit is coupled to the body, wherein the cartridge unit includes a first tool. The cartridge unit is moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first tool extends out from the second end when the housing member is in the first position. The utility tool further includes a knife switch that is coupled to the cutting tool, wherein the knife switch allows the cutting tool to slidably extend out and retract within the utility tool. The cartridge unit further comprises a second tool extending on an end of the cartridge unit opposite of the first instrument. The second tool extends out from the second end when the housing member is in the extended position. The first tool is a writing instrument and the second tool is a marking instrument. The utility tool further comprises a container that is integrally formed within the utility tool for housing one of the ends of the cartridge unit positioned within the utility tool. The utility tool includes a track that is positioned along the utility tool, wherein the cartridge unit is coupled to the track and moveable along the track. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a utility tool comprises a body and a first housing coupled to the body. The first housing contains a cutting tool, whereby the cutting tool is configured to extend out from the first housing. A second housing is coupled to the body, in which the second housing has a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end are positioned opposite from one another. The second housing is configured to rotate between a first position and a second position. The first end is positioned within the body in the first position. The first end is positioned away from the body in the second position. The utility tool further comprises a knife switch that is coupled to the cutting tool. The knife switch retracts the cutting tool within the utility tool. The cartridge unit further comprises a first tool extending from the first end and a second tool extending from the second end. The first tool is preferably a writing instrument and the second tool is preferably a highlighting marker. The utility tool further comprises a container integrally formed within the utility tool, whereby the container is for housing one of the ends of the second housing positioned within the utility tool. The utility tool has a track integrally formed within and positioned along the utility tool, wherein the second housing is coupled to the track and moveable along the track. 
     In another aspect, a cutting tool has a first end and a second end positioned opposite from one another. The cutting tool comprises a cartridge unit that is positionable within the cutting tool. The cartridge unit has a third end and a fourth end, wherein the third end and the fourth end are configured opposite from one another. The cartridge unit is rotatable about an axis, wherein the third end is positioned within the cutting tool when the fourth end is proximal to the first end. The fourth end is positioned within the cutting tool when the third end is proximal to the first end. The cutting tool further comprises a knife configured to extend out from the second end of the cutting tool. The cutting tool further comprises a knife switch that is coupled to the knife, wherein the knife switch retracts the knife within the cutting tool. The cartridge unit further comprises a first writing instrument which extends from the third end and a second writing instrument which extends from the fourth end. The first writing instrument is preferably a pen, and the second writing instrument is preferably a marker. The cutting tool further comprises a container integrally formed within the cutting tool, whereby the container is for housing the end of the cartridge unit positioned within the cutting tool. The cutting tool has a track integrally formed within and positioned along the cutting tool, wherein the cartridge unit is coupled to the track and moveable along the track. 
     Yet in another aspect, a multi-tasking utility tool comprises a body as well as a knife compartment that is coupled to the body. The knife compartment contains a cutting tool. The cutting tool is configured to extend out from the knife compartment. A cartridge unit is coupled to the body. The cartridge unit has a first writing instrument and a second writing instrument. The first writing instrument and the second writing instrument are positioned opposite from one another. The cartridge unit is rotatable between a first position and a second position. The first writing instrument is positioned within the body in the first position and extends away from the body in the second position. The utility tool further comprises a knife switch which is coupled to the cutting tool, wherein the knife switch retracts the cutting tool within the knife compartment. The first writing instrument is a pen and the second writing instrument is a highlighting marker. The utility tool further comprises a container that is integrally formed within the body. The container is for housing one of the ends of the cartridge unit when positioned within the body. The utility tool having a track integrally formed within and positioned along the utility tool, wherein the cartridge unit is coupled to the track and moveable along the track. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after reviewing the detailed description of the preferred embodiments set forth below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the utility tool in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the utility tool in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the knife compartment in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a top view of the preferred embodiment of the utility tool in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates a side view of the preferred embodiment of the utility tool in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred and alternative embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which is included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it should be noted that the present invention is able to be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the utility tool  100  in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the utility tool  100  in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the knife compartment in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 4A  illustrates a top view of the preferred embodiment of the utility tool in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 4B  illustrates a side view of the preferred embodiment of the utility tool in accordance with the present invention. 
     The preferred embodiment of the utility tool  100 , generally as shown in  FIG. 1 , comprises a body  102 , a knife compartment  104 , a rotatable cartridge unit  106  having a highlighting marker  110  and a pen  112 . Preferably, the highlighting marker  110  and/or the pen  112  are covered by the cap  114 . In addition, the utility tool  100 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , preferably contains a knife  126 , a pin  118 , an interior cap  128 , a knife switch  116  with an attached spring feature  130 , a platform  117  and knife blade  126 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the body  102  or housing of the tool  100  has a top surface  102 A, a bottom surface  102 B, a right side  102 C, a left side  102 D, a rear  102 E and a front  102 F ( FIG. 2 ). Although, the body  102  is preferably made of these two pieces, it should be understood alternatively that the body  102  is made of any appropriate number of pieces, including only one piece. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4A , the body  102  preferably includes a notch  103  on the top surface  102 A of each side which is located midway between the end  102 E and the front  102 F of the body  102 .  FIG. 1  shows that the body  102  also includes a cartridge slot  122  which is defined as the space between the end  102 E and notch  103 . The cartridge slot  122  is also defined as the space between the top surface  102 A and the bottom surface  102 B, as discussed in more detail below. 
     The knife compartment  104 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , comprises a right side  104 A and a left side  104 B, wherein the left side  104 B and the right side  104 A both have a corresponding top surface  104 C. The knife compartment  104  includes a front face  104 F which is preferably positioned opposite of the end  102 F of the body  102 . Although the knife compartment  104  is discussed as being separate from the body  102 , alternatively, the body  102  and the knife compartment  104  are one integral component of the tool  100 . The knife compartment  104  is preferably coupled to the body  102 , such that the right side  104 A of the knife compartment  104  is configured to be positioned adjacent to the right side  102 D of the body  102 . Similarly, the left side  104 B of the knife compartment  104  is configured to be positioned adjacent to the left side  102 D of the body  102 . 
     The knife compartment  104  includes a rounded portion  134  and an aperture  132  in the right side  104 A and the left side  104 B of the knife compartment  104 . The rounded portion  134  is preferably configured to be located near the bottom surface  102 B of the body  102 . The right side  104 A and the left side  104 B of the knife compartment  104  are preferably coupled together by a pin  118  which fits into the apertures  132  in the rounded portion  134  of the knife compartment  104 . The knife compartment  104 , when coupled to the body  102 , forms the tool  100 . The rounded portion  134  of the knife compartment  104  is positioned underneath the front surface  102 F of the body  102  when the knife compartment  104  is coupled to the body  102 . 
     The knife compartment  104  preferably couples to the body  102  by a friction fit, wherein the distance between the inside walls of the knife compartment  104  is slightly smaller than the distance between the right side  102 C and left side  102 D of the body  102 . In the preferred embodiment, the pin  118  maintains the friction fit between the knife compartment  104  and body  102  by holding the right side  104 A and the left side  104 B of the knife compartment  104  together. Alternatively, other means for holding the right side  104 A and the left side  104 B together are used. Alternatively, the knife compartment  104  is coupled to the body  102  by screws, snap fit or other means that allows the user to open the knife compartment  104  to remove or exchange knife blades  126 . Preferably, the knife compartment  104  rotates about the pin  118  when moving between the open and closed position. 
     The front face  104 F of the knife compartment  104 , shown in  FIG. 3 , extends from the top surface  104 C downward to the rounded portion  134 . A knife slot  108  runs along the front face  104 F of the knife compartment  104 . The knife switch  116  ( FIG. 1 ) is configured to allow the knife or knife blade  126  to be retractable, such that the knife  126  slides between a retracted position and an extended position. The knife  126  is preferably within the knife compartment  104  when in the retracted position, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Likewise, the knife  126  penetrates out of the knife slot  108  when the knife  126  is in the extended position, as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the top surface  104 C of the knife compartment  104  has an indented rectangular groove  120  for housing the knife switch  116 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . It is preferred that the knife switch  116  and attached support platform  117  is coupled to a spring feature  130  which attaches to the body  102 , whereby the spring feature  130  urges the knife switch  116  to the retracted position. Thus, the knife switch  116  prevents the knife  126  from unintentionally being left in the extended position. It is also preferred that the knife  126  is easily replaceable from the knife compartment  104 . As described above, the knife compartment  104  preferably rotates about the pin  118  between the closed and open position. When the knife compartment  104  is in the open position, both the knife blade  126  and the knife switch  116  are exposed. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the knife switch  116  is coupled to a support platform  117  which engages the knife blade  126 . Specifically, the support platform  117  includes two engaging pins  117 A which are configured to engage the knife blade  126 , in which the pins  117 A fit within the knife blade notches  127 . When the knife compartment  104  is in the open position and the knife switch  116  as well as the knife blade  126  is exposed, the user removes the worn out knife blade  126  by disengaging the knife blade notches  127  from the engaging pins  117 A. The user then inserts a new knife blade  126  by coupling the engaging pins  117 A within the knife blade notches  127 . Alternatively, the knife switch  116  with the knife blade  126 , attached as one unit, may be completely removed and replaced with another unit containing a new knife switch  116  and knife blade  126 . Thus, the knife  126  would be easily changeable with a minimum amount of contact with the knife  126  itself. 
     As described above, the body  102  has a cartridge slot  122  which is defined as the space from the top surface  102 A to the bottom surface  102 B of the body  102 . The slot  122  preferably has a rectangular shape and passes from the end  102 E midway to the notch  103 . Preferably, both of the inside walls  140  of the body  102  include a track  142  for housing a knob or knob member  138  extending from the cartridge unit  106 , as will be discussed in more detail below. Alternatively, only one of the inside walls  140  of the body  102  includes a track  142  for housing the knob  138 . The distance of the cartridge slot  122  from the end  102 E to the notch  103  is preferably less than the distance between the ends  107 A and  107 B of the cartridge unit  106 . The track  142  allows the cartridge unit  106  to traverse along the body  102  from an inward or first position which is represented as the narrow portion  142 A of the track  142 , to an outward or second position which is represented as the wide portion  142 B of the track  142 , as will be discussed below. 
     The cartridge unit  106  or housing shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  has a substantially rectangular shape. The cartridge unit  106  has a left side  106 A and a right side  106 B as well as two ends, shown as  107 A and  107 B. The ends  107 A and  107 B are preferably configured to be positioned to face away from one another, in which each end  107 A,  107 B of the cartridge unit  106  has a tool. Preferably, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the tool is a marking instrument, such as a pen  112  and a highlighter  110 , where the pen  112  extends out from the end  107 A and the highlighter  110  extends out from the end  107 B. Thus, it is preferred that the pen  112  extends out from the cartridge unit  106  in a direction opposite from the marker  110 . Alternatively, the cartridge unit  106  is configured to have other instruments, such as a retractable tape measure, flashlight, compass, level, bar code scanner or other accessory, extending out from the ends  107 A and  107 B. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the cartridge unit  106  preferably also has a knob  138  which extends out perpendicularly from the center of both the left side  106 A and the right side  106 B of the cartridge unit  106 . Alternatively, the knob  138  is configured to extend out from only one side of the cartridge unit  106  or extend out from a position other than the center of the cartridge unit  106 . The knob  138  allows the cartridge unit  106  to rotate about an axis extending through the knob  138 . 
     It is preferred that the cartridge unit  106  is positioned within the cartridge slot  122 . The knob  138  extending from each side of the cartridge unit  106  fits in the track  142  located integrally within the cartridge slot  122 . As described above, the cartridge unit  106  is rotatable about the knob  138 . Thus, a user rotates the cartridge unit  106  such that the desired end of the cartridge unit  106  faces out from the end  102 E of the tool  100 . When the desired end of the cartridge unit  106  is in the exposed position or faces out from the end  102 E of the tool  100 , the end opposite of the desired end is preferably contained within the body  102 . For example, if a user desires to use the end  107 A having the pen  112 , she will rotate the cartridge unit  106  such that the end  107 A faces out the rear  102 E of the tool  100 . As discussed above, the ends  107 A and  107 B of the cartridge unit  106  are positioned opposite of one another. Thus, the end  107 B of the cartridge unit  106  having the highlighting marker  110  is preferably contained within the body  102  of the tool  100  when the end  107 A is facing out from the rear  102 E of the tool  100 . The tool  100  preferably includes an interior cap  128  within the body  102  for providing a cover for and storing the end of the cartridge unit  106  that is not in the exposed position. Thus, in the example, the highlighting marker  110  would be contained within the interior cap  128 . 
     The cartridge unit  106  is preferably removable, such that replacement cartridges are useable with the tool  100 . In the preferred embodiment, the cartridge unit  106  is removed from the body  102  by moving the knob member  138  to the wide portion  142 B of the track  142 . Once the knob member  138  is positioned at the wide portion  142 B, the user slightly twists or bends the cartridge unit  106  such that the one or more knob members  138  is no longer within the wide portion  142 B. Once the knob member  138  is no longer within the wide portion  142 B of the track  142 , the user can easily remove the cartridge unit  106  from the body  102 . Similarly, to insert a cartridge unit  106 , the user slightly twists or bends the cartridge unit  106  until the one or more knob members  138  are positioned within the wide portion  142 B. Alternatively, the cartridge unit  106  is inserted or removed from the body  102  by applying a force on the inside walls  140  of the body  102  such that the walls  140  slightly move away from each other. Causing the walls  140  to move away from each other allows the knob member  138  enough clearance to be inserted into or removed from the wide portion  142 B of the track  142 . 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, to assemble the tool  100 , the left side  102 D and the right side  102 C of the body  102  are snapped together by a snap tight fit. Alternatively, the sides  102 C and  102 D of the body  102  are assembled together by other means, such as adhesive, screw, or other equivalent. The interior cap  128  is placed between the sides  102 C and  102 D of the body  102  and held within the body  102  when the sides are snapped together. The cartridge unit  106  is coupled to the body  102 , by inserting the knob  138  into the wide portion  142 B of the track  142  located within the inside walls  140  of the cartridge slot  122 . The knife compartment  104  is coupled to the body  102  by a snap fit, such that the rounded portion  134  of the knife compartment  104  is positioned substantially near to the front end  102 F of the body. Alternatively, the knife compartment  104  couples to the body  102  by other means, such as adhesive, screw, or other equivalent. 
     The knife compartment  104  is assembled by coupling the right side  104 A and the left side  104 B together by a snap fit. Preferably, the right side  104 A and the left side  104 B of the knife compartment  104  are held together by the cover pin  118  which fits within the aperture  132  that extends through each side of the knife compartment  104 . Alternatively, the knife compartment  104  is assembled together by other means, such as adhesive, screw, or other equivalent. Also, the knife switch  116  is placed within the knife compartment  104 , such that the grooved portion of the knife switch  116  protrudes out from the switch groove  120 . As described above, the knife switch  116  is coupled to a platform  117  which includes the two engaging members  117 A. The engaging members  117 A are preferably coupled to the notches  127  of the knife blade  126 . Thus, when the knife switch  116  moves to the extended position, the knife blade  126  is exposed through the knife slot  108 . On the other hand, when the knife switch  116  moves to the retracted position, the knife blade  126  is within the knife compartment  104 . The platform  117  couples to the spring  130  which attaches to a stationary point within the tool  100 . The spring  130  biases the knife switch  116  to the retracted position within the knife compartment  104  of the tool  100  and prevents the knife blade  126  from being unintentionally left in the extended position. 
     To use the knife portion of the tool  100 , a user simply presses the knife switch  116  toward the front end  104 F of the knife compartment  104 . The knife switch  116  allows the knife  126  to slidably move from the retracted position to the extended position, because the knife  126  is coupled to the platform. The knife blade  126  preferably stays in the extended position as long as pressure is applied by the user. Alternatively, a switch or locking mechanism may be used to lock the knife  126  in the extended position. As stated above, the knife switch  116  biases the knife  126  toward the retracted position, to prevent the knife  126  from being unintentionally left in the extended position. 
     A user also uses the cartridge unit  106  in the tool  100  to mark items as the user desires. As stated above, it is preferred that the cartridge unit  106  has two ends,  107 A and  107 B, each having a different tool, respectively a pen  112  and a highlighter marker  110 . If the user wants to use the pen  112 , she preferably pulls the cartridge unit  106  out along the track  142  toward the end  102 E. As stated above, it is preferred that the length of the slot  122  is less than the distance between the ends  107 A and  107 B of the cartridge unit  106 . Thus, once the cartridge unit  106  is substantially near or in the outer portion  142 B of the track  142 , there is enough distance to allow the cartridge unit  106  to rotate. The ability for the cartridge unit  106  to rotate allows the end  107 A of the cartridge unit  106  to face out from the end  102 E of the tool  100 . When the end  107 A of the cartridge unit  106  faces out the rear of the tool  100 , the user preferably pushes the cartridge unit  106  along the track  142  away from the end  102 E of the body  102 , until the end  107 B is contained within the body  102 . Thus, the cartridge unit is locked, and the end  107 B of the cartridge unit  106  having the highlighting marker  110  will be preferably contained within the body  102  when the end  107 A is facing out the rear  102 E of the tool  100 . As stated above, the tool  100  preferably includes an interior cap  128  within the body  102  for storing the end  107  of the cartridge unit  106  that is not in the exposed position. Thus, in the preferred example, the highlight marker  110  would be contained within the interior cap  128 . 
     Similarly, if the user prefers to use the highlighter marker  110 , she preferably pulls the cartridge unit  106  out along the track  142  toward the end  102 E such that the cartridge unit  106  has enough clearance within the slot  122  to rotate. At this point, the knob  138  of the cartridge unit  106  is substantially near or in the outer portion  142 B of the track  142 . The user then rotates the cartridge unit  106  such that the end  107 B having the highlighting marker  110  faces out from the end  102 E of the tool  100 . The user then preferably pushes the cartridge unit  106  along the track  142  away from the end  102 E of the body  102 , until the end  107 A is contained within the body  102 . Thus, the cartridge unit  106  is locked, and the end  107 A of the cartridge unit  106  having the pen  112  will be preferably contained within the body  102  of the tool  100  when end  107 B is facing out the rear  102 E of the tool  100 . As noted above, the cartridge unit  106  alternatively has one or more of an array of tools which extend out from ends  107 A and  107 B, such as a retractable tape measure, flashlight, compass, level or other accessory. In addition, it is preferred that the tool  100  of the present invention be made of a soft elastomeric overmolding material. Alternatively, the tool  100  is made of any rigid material, such as hard plastic, metal, stainless steel, or other equivalent. 
     The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made in the embodiment chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.