Abstract:
A multiblade knife unit includes a first blade pivotally moveable between a folded position within a side edge of the handle, and an extended position projecting from one end of the handle. A second blade is supported by a carriage for sliding displacement between a contracted position stored within the handle, and an extended position projecting out from one end of the handle. The first and second blades being independently deployable out a common end of the handle. The knife unit includes a third blade slidably mounted to the handle housing, opposite the first and second blades, for sliding displacement between a retracted position within the handle and an extended position projecting generally out from a second end of the handle. The knife unit may further include a belt clip mounted to a housing for encasing a can opener.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to an improved multiblade knife unit including a plurality of knife blades of different type normally stored within and adapted for deployment from a handle housing. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved multiblade knife unit wherein multiple knife blades such as a pivotally mounted knife blade and a slidably mounted utility blade are deployable from a common end of the handle housing. 
         [0002]    Multiblade knife units are generally known in the art, wherein a plurality of knife blades are carried by a common knife handle. In such knife units, the handle comprises a housing structure adapted for movably supporting each of the multiple knife blades for individual displacement between a normal stored position nested at least partially within the handle housing, and a deployed position with a blade cutting edge exposed for use. In this regard, conventional so-called pocket knives are known wherein multiple pivoting knife blades are carried by the handle housing for pivoting displacement between the stored and deployed positions at a common end of the handle housing. Such pivoting knife blades normally comprise different-sized blades of a common style, e.g., such as conventional knife blades each having a cutting edge formed along one side thereof. In multiblade knife units of this type, a single one of the multiple knife blades is normally deployed for use at any given time. By contrast, while multiple blades can be deployed simultaneously, the blades typically define parallel cutting edges which are not normally useful in this configuration for performing different types of cutting tasks. 
         [0003]    In recent years, interest has developed in alternative multiblade knife units having a plurality of knife blades of different types, particularly such as at least one pivotally mounted knife blade in combination with at least one slidably mounted razor-type utility knife blade. Such alternative multiblade knife units have incorporated these different types of knife blades in a common handle housing each for displacement between stored and deployed positions. In this regard, slidably mounted razor-type utility knives are also known in the art, and typically include a removably mounted razor blade having an extremely sharp cutting edge used to perform a variety of specialized cutting tasks, such as trimming wallboard during building construction and/or remodeling. However, multiblade knife units which combine a slidably mounted utility knife blade with a conventional pivotally mounted knife blade have generally deployed these different-style cutting blades from opposite ends of a common handle housing. Once again, while it is possible to deploy both types of knife blades at the same time, the oppositely projecting cutting edges pose a significant risk of use injury. 
         [0004]    The present invention provides an improved multiblade knife unit having knife blades of different types, such as pivotally mounted knife blade and a slidably mounted utility blade, adapted for individual or concurrent deployment from a common end of a handle housing. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In accordance with the invention an improved multiblade knife unit includes knife blades of different type normally stored within and adapted for deployment from a common end of a handle housing. A first, pivoting knife blade is supported for pivotal movement between a first folded position nested substantially within one side edge of the handle housing, and a second extended position projecting from one end of the handle housing. A second, razor-type utility knife blade is supported by a carriage for sliding displacement between a first contracted position stored and concealed within the handle housing, and a second extended position projecting from said one end of the handle housing. The two knife blades can be deployed independently, or concurrently. 
         [0006]    The knife unit further includes a third blade, preferably a paint scraper. The third blade is slidably mounted to the handle for sliding displacement between a first retracted position within the handle and a second extended position projecting generally out from a second end of the handle. The paint scraper blade is preferably mounted to a blade holder slidably mounted within the handle for selectively moving the paint scraper between its first and second positions. Accordingly, the blade holder is accessible through the handle of the knife unit for manually moving the paint scraper between these first and second positions. A release mechanism integrated into the blade holder permits manual removal and replacement of the paint scraper when the paint scraper is in the extended position. 
         [0007]    The pivotally mounted knife blade, in the preferred form, includes a short stub post positioned in spaced relation to the pivotally mounted end thereof, for fingertip engagement to facilitate knife blade displacement from the normally folded position to the extended position. A spring plate mounted within the handle housing shifts laterally in a first direction when the pivoting knife blade is in the extended position to engage and lock with a matingly shaped base end of the knife blade, thereby precluding unintended return movement from the extended position to the folded position. An edge of this spring plate is exposed and configured for fingertip engagement to shift the spring plate in a second direction, thereby releasing the knife blade and permitting pivotal return thereof to the folded position. 
         [0008]    The slidably mounted utility blade is carried by a carriage mounted within the handle housing for displacement between the contracted and extended positions. The carriage is exposed through a slot formed in the handle housing to facilitate displacement therein. At least one mounting key on the carriage is normally seated within a mating mounting recess formed in the utility blade, whereby carriage displacement shifts the utility blade between the contracted and extended positions. 
         [0009]    A release mechanism integrated into the handle housing is depressed for releasing the utility knife blade from the slide clip, thereby facilitating quick and easy slide-out blade removal and replacement. The release mechanism has a button carried at one end of a spring tab mounted within the handle housing. The button is externally exposed through a button port formed in the handle housing. When the carriage is shifted to the extended position, the button can be depressed to retract the mounting key on the carriage from the mounting recess on the utility blade, thereby releasing the utility blade for manual grasping and slide-out separation from the carriage and handle housing. Accordingly, a replacement utility blade with a sharp cutting edge can be slidably installed on the slide clip, followed by spring-retraction of the release button for re-engagement of the carriage mounting key with the blade mounting recess. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, the knife unit includes a can opener pivotably attached to the handle. The can opener may be stored in a housing formed as part of the handle. The can opener is fingertip accessible as its tip extends out from one end of the housing. The can opener may be pivoted from a first position, as stored within the housing, to a second position extending out from the handle. A belt clip may further be affixed to the handle, and preferably to the exterior of the housing. The belt clip is ideal for attaching the multiblade knife unit to a clothing article such as a belt, for hands-free transportation in times of non-use. 
         [0011]    In another form, the knife unit may further include screwdriver bits, or alike such as scribes, or marking devises interchangeably mounted at an opposite end of the handle housing. 
         [0012]    Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is top perspective view illustrating a multiblade knife unit in accordance with one preferred form of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a top perspective view similar to  FIG. 1 , and showing a pivoting knife blade in a deployed position projecting outwardly from a handle housing; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view similar to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , but depicting the pivoting knife blade in a stored position nested partially within the handle housing, and a razor-type utility blade in a slidably advanced position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view showing the utility blade in the advanced position projecting outwardly from the handle housing; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a partially exploded bottom perspective view illustrating the pivoting knife blade in the stored position, and the utility blade (in dotted lines) in the advanced position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a further exploded bottom perspective view; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a compact perspective view similar to a portion of  FIG. 6 , and showing the internal components for slide-fit mounting of the utility blade within the handle housing; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged sectional view taken generally on the line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged sectional view similar to  FIG. 9 , but illustrating depression of a release button on the handle housing for slide-fit removal of the utility blade from the handle housing; 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a side elevation view of the knife unit, taken generally on the line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 1 , and depicting the pivoting knife blade in the stored position; 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a side elevation view similar to  FIG. 9 , but taken generally on the line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 2 , and showing the pivoting knife blade in the deployed position; 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a top perspective view similar to  FIG. 2 , but showing one alternative preferred form of the invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is an enlarged, fragmented, and partially exploded top perspective view corresponding generally with the encircled region  14  of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is a top perspective view of an alternative knife unit including a paint scraper; 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  is a top perspective view similar to  FIG. 15 , illustrating projection of the paint scraper; 
           [0030]      FIG. 17  is a bottom perspective view of the knife unit in  FIG. 15 , illustrating a can opener housing and corresponding belt clip; 
           [0031]      FIG. 18  is a bottom perspective view similar to  FIG. 17 , illustrating the can opener extending from the handle; 
           [0032]      FIG. 19  is a bottom perspective view similar to  FIG. 18 , illustrating the can opener extending from the handle and operating as the belt clip; 
           [0033]      FIG. 20  is an alternative perspective view of the knife unit of  FIG. 4 , illustrating a door for encasing and exchanging the utility knife blade; 
           [0034]      FIG. 21  is an exploded perspective view of the knife unit of  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 22  is a partially exploded top perspective view of the knife unit of  FIG. 20 ; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 23  is a partially exploded bottom perspective view of the knife unit of  FIG. 20 , illustrating attachment of the door. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]    As shown in the exemplary drawings, a multiblade knife unit referred to generally in  FIGS. 1-4  by the reference numeral  10 , comprises a handle housing  12  carrying a plurality of knife blades of different types, wherein the multiple knife blades are adapted for movement between a normal stored position and a deployed position projecting outwardly from a common end of the handle housing  12 . The exemplary drawings show the multiple knife blades in the form of a pivoting knife blade  14  ( FIG. 2 ) and a slidably mounted razor-type utility blade  16  ( FIGS. 3-4 ). Both blades  14 ,  16  can be deployed at the same time, if desired. 
         [0038]    The handle housing  12  has a relatively compact and preferably externally textured or grooved geometry for facilitated manual grasping and holding during use and comprises an upper housing member  18  having a size and shape for mated fit with a lower housing member  20 , and for secure interconnection therewith as by means of a plurality of rivet-type fasteners  22  or the like. When assembled, the upper and lower housing members  18 ,  20  support and encase the knife blades  14 ,  16  and associated mechanisms for displacing these knife blades  14 ,  16  between their respective stored and deployed positions. The housing member  18 ,  20  may be constructed conveniently from a lightweight reinforced plastic material. 
         [0039]    In general terms, the illustrative pair of knife blades  14 ,  16  are mounted within the handle housing  12  generally in side-by-side relation. In this regard, a front end  24  of the handle housing  12  is shown to include a generally pointed or forwardly projecting central nose  26  bounded on opposite sides by a matched pair of tapered faces  28  and  30  which extend from the nose  26  in a lateral and angularly rearward direction toward the associated side edges  32  and  34  of the handle housing  12 . In other words, the front end  24  of the handle housing  12  has a generally V-shaped configuration. The pivoting knife blade  14  is supported by the handle housing  12  for projecting in the deployed position (as viewed in  FIG. 2 ) from the front tapered face  28  of the handle housing  12 , whereas the slidably mounted utility blade  16  is supported for projecting in the deployed position (as viewed in  FIGS. 3-4 ) from the front tapered face  30  of the handle housing  12 . Accordingly, the two knife blades  14 ,  16  are independently supported by the handle housing  12  for separate and independent displacement between their respective stored and deployed positions. In this regard, although not shown in the exemplary drawings, persons skilled in the art will recognize and appreciate that the two knife blades  14 ,  16  can both be deployed at the same time, if desired. 
         [0040]    The pivoting knife blade  14  as shown comprises a conventional knife blade having an elongated cutting edge  36  formed along one side thereof and terminating at a pointed distal end tip  38 . An oppositely disposed and non-sharpened base end  40  (shown best in  FIG. 6 ) has a pivot port  42  formed therein for secure mounting between the housing members  18 ,  20  as by means of suitable pivot pin  44  fastened between the housing members  18 ,  20  near the angled front face  28 . The knife blade  14  further includes a blunt and preferably serrated side edge  46  disposed opposite the cutting edge  36 . 
         [0041]    The pivoting knife blade  14  is sized and shaped for normal nested reception in the stored position seated at least partially within a laterally open slot  48  defined in the housing side edge  32  between the assembled housing members  18 ,  20  (shown best in FIGS.  2  and  9 - 10 ). In this stored position, the sharp cutting edge  36  on the knife blade  14  is in an inboard-facing orientation (shown best in  FIG. 5 ), and the blunt side edge  46  is in an outboard-facing orientation, thereby safeguarding against accidental contact with the cutting edge  36 . A short stub post  50  mounted on the knife blade  14  in a position spaced a short distance from the base end  40  is nested at least partially within a laterally open notch  52  defined by the lower housing member  20 . 
         [0042]    To displace the pivoting knife blade  14  from the stored position to the deployed position, the stub post  50  is sufficiently exposed within the notch  52  for fingertip access as by the user&#39;s thumb for swinging the knife blade  14  outwardly from the stored position within the nested slot  48  to the deployed position projecting forwardly from the angled front face  28  at the front end  24  of the handle housing  12 . In this orientation, the pointed distal end tip  38  is presented in a forward direction extending away from the housing handle  12 , and the cutting edge  36  is presented in a laterally outboard direction relative to the handle housing  12 . 
         [0043]    In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the knife unit  10  includes a releasible locking device for releasibly locking the pivoting knife blade  14  in the deployed position, thereby safeguarding against undesired or premature re-folding of the knife blade  14  back to the stored position. In a preferred embodiment, a spring member such as a spring plate  54  (shown best in  FIGS. 6-10 ) is mounted within the handle housing  12  in a position sandwiched between the housing members  18 ,  20 . This spring plate  54  includes a spring member  56  for locking the pivoting knife blade in either a deployed or retracted position. The spring member  56  has a front end  58  for locking the pivoting knife blade  14  in a deployed position as further described herein. When the pivoting knife blade  14  is in the stored position, a ball detent  59 , located near the front end  58  of the spring member  56 , engages a ball detent socket  60  as illustrated in  FIGS. 9-10 . The ball detent  59  and the ball detent socket  60  combine to releasibly retain the pivoting knife blade  14  in the fully stored position. Pressure exerted upwardly from the spring member  56  against the bottom of the pivoting knife blade  14  locates the ball detent  59  within the ball detent socket  60  while the knife blade  14  is in this fully stored position ( FIG. 11 ). 
         [0044]    Pivoting the knife blade  14  toward the fully deployed position ( FIG. 12 ) disengages the ball detent  59  from the ball detent socket  60 . The knife blade  14  pivots across the tip of the ball detent  59 , thereby experiencing minimal resistance because of the limited surface area contact between the tip of the ball detent  59  and the surface of the knife blade  14 . When the knife blade  14  reaches the fully deployed position, the front end  58  of the spring member  56  shifts downwardly to the position shown in  FIG. 12 . This front end  58  defines a relatively flat edge which moves behind and engages a corresponding flat edge  61  ( FIGS. 6 ,  11 - 12 ) of the knife blade base end  40 , when the knife blade  14  is in the fully deployed position. In a particularly preferred embodiment, both the front end  58  and the flat edge  61  are formed having engageable 10° angles, although any combination of engageable angles are possible. As a result, the front end  58  of the spring plate  54  effectively locks and blocks the pivoting knife blade  14  in the deployed position (as shown best in  FIG. 12 ). A person of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that many different releasible locking mechanisms are available for use with the present invention in order to effectively lock the pivoting knife blade  14  in the fully deployed position. Such devices might include spring, clip, snap, or non-friction mechanisms, and may utilize notches, pins, buttons, bars, coils, nuts and/or bolts or any combination thereof. 
         [0045]    The pivoting knife blade  14  is quickly and easily released or unlocked for return pivoting motion from the deployed position to the stored position, when and if desired. The spring plate  54  defines a laterally outboard-presented serrated edge  62  along the external portion of the spring member  56 , which terminates substantially coextensive with the adjoining side edge or side margin  32  of the housing members  18 ,  20 . This serrated edge  62  is thus exposed for easy manipulation manually to shift the flat-shaped front end  58  of the spring member  56  upwardly within the slot  48  for spring member misalignment with the plane of the knife blade  14 . In this misaligned position of the spring member  56 , the knife blade  14  can be pivotally displaced back to the stored position nested at least partially within the side-open slot  48  in the handle housing  12 . During the pivoting motion, the knife blade  14  contacts and rotates along the tip of the ball detent  59 . When the knife blade  14  is in the fully stored position, the ball detent  59  re-engages the ball detent socket  60  as previously described. Upon subsequent return movement of the knife blade  14  back to the deployed position ( FIG. 2 ), the spring member  56  on the spring plate  54  biases the spring member front end  58  against the knife blade  14  ( FIG. 12 ) for automatically yet releasibly re-locking the knife blade  14  in the deployed position. 
         [0046]    The utility blade  16  as shown best in  FIG. 6  comprises a conventional razor-type knife blade having a generally trapezoidal shape with an elongated side edge defining a razor-sharp cutting edge  64 . A comparatively shorter and relatively blunt side edge  66 , disposed opposite the cutting edge  64 , has a pair of laterally open mounting recesses  68  formed therein. Leading and trailing edges  70  and  72  of the utility blade  16  respectively extend angularly forwardly and angularly rearwardly from the blunt edge  68  to the cutting edge  64 . 
         [0047]    This utility blade  16  is adapted for reversible and removable mounting onto a slide clip  74  ( FIGS. 6-8 ) carried between the two housing members  18 ,  20  for fore-aft sliding displacement to shift the utility blade  16  between the stored position concealed within the handle housing  12  and the deployed position projecting forwardly from the angularly tapered face  30  at the front end  24  of the handle housing. In this regard, the utility blade  16  is seated on the slide clip  74  with a rear portion or rear half of the blade  16  supported on a platen  76  which extends between a lower rail  78  and an upper rail  80 . A pair of mounting keys  82  are formed adjacent the upper rail  80  for seated reception into the mounting recesses  68  formed in the utility blade  16 . In a preferred form, the slide clip  74  is constructed from a molded plastic material, spring metal, stamped, or similar material suitable for carrying the blade  16  without significant damage to the razor-sharp cutting edge  64  supported by the lower rail  78 . Importantly, when the utility blade  16  is thus mounted onto the slide clip  74 , a forward portion or forward half of the blade  16  protrudes forwardly from the slide clip  74 . 
         [0048]    The slide clip  74  is captured between the assembled housing members  18 ,  20  for fore-aft sliding displacement. In this regard, the assembled housing members  18 ,  20  cooperatively define a slide track for retaining and guiding the slide clip  74  with utility blade  16  supported thereon between the retracted (stored) and advanced (deployed) positions. A track extension  84  of the side clip  74  mates to a corresponding track ledge  85  (shown best in  FIGS. 9-10 ) formed in the upper housing member  18  to facilitate movement between retracted and advanced positions. A thumb key or thumb detent  86  on a rear end of a short spring arm  87  forms an integral portion of the slide clip  74 , and wherein this thumb detent  86  is externally exposed through a fore-aft elongated track port  88  ( FIGS. 1-3  and  5 - 6 ) formed in the upper housing member  18 . At least one and preferably a pair of laterally elongated side wings  90  formed at the base of this thumb detent  86  are sized to project at least partially into aligned detent seats  92  formed in the lower housing member  20  at an inboard surface thereof lining the track port  88  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0049]    Accordingly, by depressing the thumb detent  86  sufficiently to disengage the side wings  90  from the associated detent seats  92 , the slide clip  74  with the utility blade  16  can be shifted forwardly or rearwardly relative to the track port  88 . In the rearmost slide clip position along the track port  88 , the utility blade  16  is retracted to the stored and concealed position. Conversely, in the forwardmost slide clip position along the track port  88 , the utility blade  16  is shifted to a fully exposed deployed position with the cutting edge  64  exposed laterally outwardly relative to the handle housing  12  in a direction opposite to the cutting edge  36  of the knife blade  14  in a deployed position. The detent seats  92  engage the side wings  90  for releasibly locking the slide clip  74  and blade  16  in the desired stored or deployed position. Multiple intermediate sets of the detent seats  92  are provided for multiple partially deployed positions of the utility blade  16 . 
         [0050]    In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the utility blade  16  is adapted for quick and easy removal from the handle housing  12 , without requiring disassembly of the housing members  18 ,  20 . In this regard, such removal of the utility blade  16  is periodically necessary to reverse the blade  16  relative to the slide clip  74 , and/or to replace a worn blade with a new one. 
         [0051]    More particularly, when the slide clip  74  is in the forwardmost position for supporting the utility blade  16  in the deployed position, the slide clip  74  is oriented with its upper rail  80  in a position directly underlying a release button  94  (shown best in  FIGS. 7-10 ) and tensioned upwardly by a release spring  95  mounted within the handle housing  12 .  FIG. 8  shows an exploded perspective view of the release button  94  having a connection post  96  that locates the release button  94  in an aperture  97  formed in the release spring  95 . The release spring  95  is widened and lengthened to keep the utility knife blade  16  from rattling. The release spring  95  provides continual upward pressure to the release button  94 , even when the slide clip  74  is in the stored position. Additionally, the release spring  95  provides continual downward pressure on the thumb detent  86  to ensure continual external exposure through the lower housing member  18  in the retracted and deployed positions. Importantly, the release button  94  is externally exposed through a matingly shaped release port  98  formed in the lower housing member  20  for convenient fingertip depression. 
         [0052]    As previously described, and as shown best in  FIGS. 9-10 , the upper rail  80  on the slide clip  74  underlies the release button  94  when the slide clip  74  is in the forward most position with a portion of the utility blade  16  projecting from the front end  24  of the handle housing  12 . Depression of the release button  94  in this orientation shifts the upper rail  80 , associated mounting keys  82 , and a spring tab  99  relative to the utility blade  16 , in a direction toward the opposite housing member  18 . In this regard, it is noted that the upper rail  80  and mounting keys  82  of the slide clip  74  are carried generally at a free end of yet another short spring arm  100  formed integrally with the slide clip  74 , to accommodate this shifting displacement relative to the blade-supporting platen  76  of the slide clip  74 . This clip spring arm  100  is supported (in the forwardmost slide position) on the spring tab  99  of the spring plate  54 . By configuring the upper rail  80  so that it is taller than the mounting keys  82 , depression of the release button  94  can displace the mounting keys (downwardly, as viewed in  FIG. 10 ) sufficiently to clear the blade mounting recesses  68 , thereby releasing the blade  16  for manual grasping and slide-out removal from the handle housing  12 . 
         [0053]    The utility blade  16  can be re-installed quickly and easily into the handle housing  12  in the same or a reversed orientation, or a replacement blade  16  can be installed, by sliding the blade rearwardly into the handle housing  16  while holding the release button  94  in the depressed position. When the rear margin of the re-installed blade  16  engages an upstanding backstop structure  102  on the slide clip  74 , the release button  94  is released to permit spring-loaded travel of the mounting keys  82  (upwardly, as viewed in  FIG. 10 ) into re-engagement with the blade mounting recesses  68 . 
         [0054]    Various modifications and improvements in and to the multiblade knife unit  10  of the present invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. As one example, the handle housing  12  may incorporate a tether port  104  ( FIGS. 1-4 ) for receiving a tether (not shown) or the like, if desired. 
         [0055]    Alternately, as viewed in  FIGS. 13-14 , the handle housing  12  can be modified to include a plurality of driver bits such as screwdriver bits  106  for selective deployment at the end opposite the deployed knife blade or blades, such as the pivoting knife blade  14  as shown. In this alternative embodiment, the housing members  18 ,  20  are adapted in combination with a plate-shaped insert  108  to define a hex-shaped bit socket  110  or the like for removably receiving and supporting a selected one of the bits  106 , such as flat-blade screwdriver bits or different sizes, and/or one or more Phillips-type, hex, torqux bits. A driver bit  106  supported in the hex socket  110  projects rearwardly from the handle housing  12 , in a direction opposite the deployed knife blades, for appropriate use. Unused bits driver  106  may be removably stored in associated detent cavities  112  formed, e.g., on the outboard side of the upper housing member  20 . 
         [0056]    In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the knife unit  10  further includes a paint scraper  118  as shown in  FIG. 16 . The paint scraper  118  comprises a blade holder  120  and a paint scraper blade  122 . The blade holder  120  is accessible for fingertip access through the exterior of the upper housing member  18  by means of a thumb detent  124 . The thumb detent  124  slides within a detent port  126  formed in the upper housing member  18 . The blade  120  slides within a track (not shown) formed between the upper housing member  18  and the lower housing member  20 . The paint scraper  118  is in the stored position within the handle housing  12  as shown in  FIG. 15 . Accordingly, the thumb detent  124  is positioned toward the middle of the knife unit  10 . The paint scraper  118  extends through an extension slot  128  as the thumb detent  124  is pushed away from the middle of the knife unit  10  and toward a back end  130 . Accordingly, the paint scraper blade  122  projects out from the back end  130  and through the extension slot  128  once the thumb detent  124  is pushed all the way toward the back end  130  within the detent port  126  of the knife unit  10 . The paint scraper blade  122  may be removed and replaced when in the extended position as shown in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0057]    The knife unit  10  of the present invention may further include a can opener  132  as best shown in  FIG. 18 . Referencing  FIG. 17 , the can opener  132  resides within a housing  134  when in a stored position. The housing  134  substantially encompasses the length of the can opener  132  to provide protection and prevent inadvertent rotation during storage. The housing  134  also helps to prevent inadvertent engagement of the can opener  132 , such as with a loose clothing article, during periods of non-use. The housing  134  may be attached to the lower housing member  20  by any method known in the art, including adhesive or mechanical engagement. In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the housing  134  is mechanically attached to the lower housing member  20  via a set of rivets (not shown). As best shown in  FIG. 17 , a can opener tip  136  extends out from one end of the housing  134  to provide fingertip access thereto. Accordingly, the tip  136  is accessible to move the can opener  132  from the stored position ( FIG. 17 ) to an extended position ( FIG. 18 ). Applying pressure to the can opener tip  136  along the arced arrow in  FIG. 18  rotates the can opener  132  clockwise to the extended position. The can opener  132  rotates about a rivet  138  and relative to the knife unit  10  and corresponding housing  134 . The can opener  132  is sufficiently attached to the knife unit  10  via the rivet  138  such that the can opener  132  will easily withstand shear and tensile forces exerted upon the attachment mechanism when opening a can, such as a paint can. After use, the can opener  132  is simply rotated counterclockwise from the extended position as shown in  FIG. 18  to the stored position as shown in  FIG. 17 . 
         [0058]    Furthermore, the knife unit  10  includes a belt clip  140  attached to a top surface  142  of the housing  134 . The belt clip  140  is preferably a tension spring connected to the lower housing member  20  via the housing  134  by means of the rivet  138 . The belt clip  140  includes an outward extending flange  144  to better enable slide-in application to a belt or other similar item. The outward extending flange  144  provides a larger gap between the belt clip  140  and the top surface  142  of the housing  134  for insertion of the belt or other comparable item therein. The belt clip  140  may be mounted directly to the lower housing member  20 , especially when the housing  134  and the corresponding can opener  132  are unneeded. Alternatively, the belt clip  140  may be excluded altogether, leaving only the housing  134  and corresponding can opener  132 . 
         [0059]    In an alternative embodiment, the can opener  132  can be mounted directly to the lower housing member  20  and be curved similar to the belt clip  140  in  FIG. 18 . In this embodiment, the can opener  132  replaces the belt clip  140  as a mechanism for attaching the multiblade knife unit  10  to a belt or other article suitable for transportation during non-use. In essence, the can opener  132  functions as a belt clip when in the stored position. In this embodiment, the can opener tip  136  is preferably bent away from the lower housing member  20  like the flange  144  of the belt clip  140  in  FIG. 18  to facilitate insertion of a belt or other comparable item therein. Additionally, a pair of locking rails  146 , 148  retains a backend  150  of the belt clip  140 .  FIG. 19  illustrates the backend  150  retained by the locking rails  146  such that the can opener  132  is held in an extended position. Accordingly, the can opener  132  may be pivoted about a screw  152  to a stored position wherein the can opener  132  is aligned substantially along the longitudinal length of the multiblade knife unit  10  and retained by the locking rails  148 . Alternatively, a neck  154  of the can opener  132  may be held by either of the locking rails  146 ,  148  when the can opener  132  is in the stored or extended positions. The locking rails  146 ,  148  merely provide a mechanism for substantially retaining the can opener  132  in either the stored or extended positions. 
         [0060]      FIG. 20  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the multiblade knife unit  10  having a removable door  158  integrated into the lower housing member  20 . The door  158  replaces the release button  94  as described and shown in  FIGS. 4-10 . The door  158  is secured to the multiblade knife unit  10  via a screw  160 . As shown in  FIG. 20 , the door  158  is preferably flush with a top surface  162  of the lower housing member  20 .  FIG. 21  illustrates an exploded view of the door  158  as replacing the release button  94  and corresponding release mechanism. The door  158  has a series of extrusions  164  that the utility knife blade  16  slides against when the thumb detent  86  moves the utility knife blade  16  from the contracted position to an extended position. The extrusions  164  extend into an aperture  166  formed in the lower housing member  20 . The extrusions 164 bias the utility knife blade  16  against the underside of the slide clip  74 . As best shown in  FIG. 23 , the slide clip  74  includes the pair of mounting keys  82  that fit into the laterally open mounting recesses  68  ( FIG. 21 ) to retain the utility knife blade  16  therein. As shown in  FIG. 21 , the screw  160  is secured to the lower housing member  20  by means of a nut  168  that resides in a similarly shaped housing  170 . As shown, the nut  168  is a hex nut and resides in a hex nut housing  170 . This enables the screw  160  to be tightened with a screw driver or other comparable tool from the outside of the multiblade knife unit  10 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 22  illustrates the utility knife blade  16  residing within the lower housing member  20  and sandwiched between the extrusions  164  of the door  158  and the slide clip  74 . The slide clip  74  and the corresponding thumb detent  86  move the utility knife blade  16  between the contracted and extended positions, as previously described. The slide clip  74  is operable only after the door  158  is secured to the lower housing member  20 . After inserting the utility knife blade  16 , the screw  160  is placed through an aperture  172  formed in the door  158  and screwed into a threaded housing  174 . The screw  160  is preferably tapered such that a head portion  176  of the screw  160  is wider in width than the corresponding aperture  172  formed in the door  158 . The door  158  is held in place by wedging an extension  178  formed at a front end  180  of the door  158  into a slot (not shown) formed on the corresponding side of the lower housing member  20 . This secures the front end  180  of the door  158  to the lower housing member  20 . When the utility knife blade  16  is completely encased within the multiblade knife unit  10  as shown in  FIG. 20 , the thumb detent  86  may move the utility knife blade  16  between the contracted and extended positions as already described herein. 
         [0062]    Further modifications and improvements will be apparent to those persons skilled in the art. Accordingly, no limitation on the invention is intended by way of the foregoing description and accompanying drawings, except as set forth in the appended claims.