Roofing utility blade for roofing knife

A utility blade especially adapted for a roofing knife. The blade is fabricated from a flat, thin blank of metallic material and has a square central mounting hole for mounting in a conventional roofing knife. A first end of the blade is configured with a curvilinear, sharpened hook on one side and a V-shaped sharpened cutting component on the other side. The V-shaped sharpened cutting component terminates into a sharpened point. This arrangement is effective to give a user the advantage of having two different type cutting surfaces in one blade.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to hand tools. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to a unique blade for a utility knife, which blade is especially adapted for cutting and manipulating roofing tile.

2. Description of the Related Art

Utility knives and blades therefor have been the subject of numerous patents. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,107,593 (Hutchins) discloses a utility knife having a blade designed and bent to be useful as a scraper. The instant blade could not be used to efficiently cut tile.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,074 (White et al.) is drawn to a tool having curved and hooked surfaces. The tool is designed to remove caulk and does not present edges sharp enough to cut tile.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,105 (Gates), U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,522 (Dobandi) and French patent 1,218,889 show utility knives which incorporate multi-purpose blades. The blades do not have the unique configuration as required by the blade of the instant invention.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to disclose a utility blade especially designed for roofing as will subsequently be described and claimed in the instant invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is drawn to a roofing utility blade especially adapted for a roofing knife. The blade is fabricated from a flat, thin blank of metallic material and has a square central mounting hole for mounting in a conventional roofing knife. A first end of the blade is configured with a curvilinear, sharpened hook on one side and a V-shaped sharpened cutting component on the other side. This arrangement is effective to give a user the advantage of having two different type cutting surfaces in one blade without changing knives or blades. The other end of the blade is mirror image of the first end, thereby permitting a user to easily provide a fresh cutting end when the first end becomes dull.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved blade for a utility knife.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved blade for a utility knife, which blade has multiple cutting surfaces at each end.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved blade for a utility knife, which blade is especially adapted for cutting roofing tile.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved blade for a utility knife, which blade is fabricated from durable material.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Attention is first directed toFIG. 1wherein the blade of the present invention is generally indicated at10. The blade10is mounted in a roofing blade or knife holder12in the usual manner. The holder is conventional and includes a storage compartment (not shown) for retaining extra blades. As best seen inFIG. 2a first embodiment blade10is fabricated from a flat, thin blank of metallic material, preferably heat-treated carbon steel. A square opening11is disposed through the body of the blank at a central area thereof. The blade is constructed to have a proximate end16, a distal end18, a first edge20and a second edge22. A curvilinear portion20ais formed in the first edge20adjacent the proximate end16and terminates in a sharpened hook portion20b. A V-shaped sharpened cutting component22ais formed in the second edge22adjacent the proximate end16and terminates in a sharpened point22b.

Distal end18is a mirror image of proximate end16in that a curvilinear portion24ais formed in the second edge22adjacent the distal end18and terminates in a sharpened hook portion24b. A V-shaped sharpened cutting component26ais formed in the first edge20adjacent the distal end18and terminates in a sharpened point26b.

The embodiment ofFIG. 3is essentially the same as that ofFIG. 2except that arcuate cutting edges28and30are formed at each blade end.