Convertible knife

A knife is provided having both a multi-blade configuration for cutting multiple slices simultaneously as well as a single blade configuration for storage and single cuts. In some embodiments, the multiple blade configuration may be adjustable to define varying distances between the multiple blades.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a knife that can convert from a first configuration to a second configuration.

BACKGROUND

Knives are often used to cut multiple slices of substances, such as food. Typically, a knife must be used to cut each individual slice by using repeated slicing motions. This activity is time consuming, tedious, and potentially dangerous for people without much experience.

While some multi-blade choppers exist, allowing for multiple simultaneous slices of food, they are typically clunky and difficult to handle. Further, they are difficult to store, since they do not fit in traditional knife blocks, and impossible to use when only a single, more precise, cut is needed. Further, such choppers lack adjustments, so that if a user wishes to vary the spacing between slices of food, they must use a single knife instead of such a chopper.

There is a need for a single knife that can be used in either a multi-blade configuration for cutting multiple slices simultaneously or a single blade configuration for storage and for more precise cuts.

SUMMARY

A knife is provided having both a multi-blade configuration for cutting multiple slices simultaneously as well as a single blade configuration for storage and single cuts. In some embodiments, the multiple blade configuration may be adjustable to define varying distances between the multiple blades.

Such a knife may comprise a handle and a plurality of individual blades movably fixed to the handle, where the plurality of individual blades has a first configuration, where the blades are in distinct planes. The plurality of individual blades may have a second configuration, wherein the plurality of individual blades are substantially coplanar and form a combined blade.

The distinct planes of the individual blades in the first configuration may be parallel and may be spaced apart, and the individual blades, or segments thereof, may be coextensive when the blades form a combined blade on the second configuration. In such a configuration, a total width of the combined blade would typically be less than the combined widths of the individual blades.

The individual blades typically each have a knife edge at a first edge of the blade, and at least one of the individual blades would have a seat for retaining the knife edge at a second edge of the blade. Accordingly, when the blades are coplanar, the knife edge from one of the plurality of blades may sit in a seat of a second of the plurality of blades.

When the individual blades are in the first configuration, they may be translatable relative to each other, such that the amount by which the distinct planes are spaced apart is adjustable.

Typically, the blades may be transitioned from the first configuration to the second configuration by rotating each blade about a respective rotational axis running the length of the corresponding blade. The handle may have a length extending in parallel with the rotational axes of the individual blades.

In an alternative chopper embodiment, the handle may extend in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axes of the blades.

In some embodiments, the rotational axes of the individual blades translate relative to each other during the transition from the first configuration to the second configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This disclosure describes the best mode or modes of practicing the invention as presently contemplated. This description is not intended to be understood in a limiting sense, but provides an example of the invention presented solely for illustrative purposes by reference to the accompanying drawings to advise one of ordinary skill in the art of the advantages and construction of the invention. In the various views of the drawings, like reference characters designate like or similar parts.

FIG. 1shows a knife100in a first configuration andFIGS. 2 and 3show the knife in a second configuration. The knife100comprises a handle110and a plurality of individual blades120a-cmovably fixed to the handle110. The individual blades120a-care fixed to the handle110by way of a converter140that converts the knife from the first configuration to the second configuration and vice versa.

When in the first configuration, the knife100has a plurality of individual blades120a-cthat are substantially coplanar and form a combined blade130. In the first configuration, portions of the blades120a-cmay overlap, which may in turn stabilize the combined blade. In the first configuration, the knife100may be used as a traditional knife with a single blade.

In the configuration shown, each knife blade120a-chas a sharpened edge,123a-cand a non-sharpened edge126a-c. In some configurations, the non-sharpened edge126a-cof each blade120a-bmay be provided with a seat135for a second blade120b-cin order to stabilize the blades when they overlap. Accordingly, in the first configuration, the sharpened edge123aof the first knife blade120afunctions as the knife blade for the combined blade130.

The knife100also has the second configuration shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, wherein the plurality of individual blades120a-care positioned in distinct planes, typically parallel to each other. In the second configuration, the sharpened edge123a-cof each blade120a-cof the knife100may be used to cut multiple slices of a substance simultaneously. Where the individual blades120a-care parallel, the slices cut by the blade will be parallel as well.

In the embodiment shown, the knife100may be converted from the first configuration, shown inFIG. 1, to the second configuration, shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, by rotating the converter140relative to the handle110. The knife100may further be provided with a lock160which must be released in order to allow the rotation of the converter140.

Upon rotating the converter140or otherwise converting the knife100from the first configuration to the second configuration, each individual knife blade120a-care rotated about a respective rotational axis, the rotational axis running along a length of the corresponding individual blade. In the embodiment shown, the length of the knife handle110extends in parallel to the rotational axes of each of the individual blades120a-c.

In addition to a converter140for converting the knife100from the first configuration to the second configuration, the knife100may be provided with an adjuster150for adjusting the space or angle between the blades120a-c.FIGS. 4A and 4Bshow the knife100ofFIG. 1in a third configuration in which the individual blades120a-cremain in distinct planes, typically parallel to each other, but they are spaced differently than in the second configuration. As shown, the blades120a-cmay be closer together, for example. Although the third configuration is shown with a housing170for the converter140removed, it will be understood that the housing may remain in place in each configuration.

The knife100may then be used to make parallel cuts simultaneously, where the cuts are farther apart than in the second configuration. In the embodiment shown, the knife100is provided with an adjuster150and may be transitioned from the second configuration to the third configuration by rotating the adjuster150relative to the converter140. In some embodiments, the adjuster150will be required to be unlocked from the mechanism used to transition the knife100from the first configuration, shown inFIG. 1to the second configuration, shown inFIG. 2, in order to allow for it to be used to transition between the second configuration and the third configuration, shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B. For example, it may be unlocked by pulling the adjuster150away from the converter140.

FIG. 5shows the knife100ofFIG. 1with a housing170for the converter140removed andFIG. 6shows an exploded version of the knife100ofFIG. 1. As shown, the converter140has a housing170that houses a rack and pinion mechanism175visible from the top of the knife100comprising two racks180a-band a single pinion190crossing both of those racks. A parallel mechanism175′ may be provided on the bottom of the knife with parallel components providing additional stability and applying required motion in an opposite direction. The rack and pinion mechanisms175,175′ control the transition from the second configuration to the third configuration. By rotating the pinions190,190′, the pinion engages the racks180a-b,180a-b′ and translates the plurality knife blades120a-crelative to each other. By rotating in a first direction, the blades may be drawn closer together by drawing the racks towards the central blade, and by rotating in a second direction, the blades may be moved farther apart. As can be seen inFIG. 6, the first rack and pinion mechanism175applies the adjustments to the first blade120aand the second mechanism175′ applies opposite adjustments to the third blade120c, with the second blade120bremaining stable at a center point between those blades.

Also within the housing170is a rotational mechanism200that controls the transition of the knife100from the first configuration, shown inFIG. 1to the second configuration shown inFIG. 2. Fixed to each of the first blade120aand the third blade120cis a pair of rotation plates210a,210c. These rotation plates are connected to each other by cross bars220and are retained by braces230on an interior of the housing170. Accordingly, when the lock160releases the mechanism and the housing170is rotated, the rotation plates are revolved about a central axis along the second knife blade120bwhile the attached knife blades120a,120care held in an orientation parallel to each other and the central knife blade120b. Accordingly, by rotating the housing170in a first direction, the knife100may be transitioned from the first configuration to the second configuration and by rotating the housing in a second direction, the knife may be transitioned from the second configuration to the first configuration.

FIGS. 7A and 7Bshow a detail of the knife100ofFIG. 1in the first configuration. As shown, each blade120a-cof the knife100may overlap the next blade, such that a single blade130is formed.

FIG. 8shows a detail of a second embodiment of a knife in a first configuration having three knife blades320a-c, with the blade edge323a-cof each of a second and third knife blade320b-csitting in a seat335a-bon the spine326a-bof the first and second blade respectively.

While the figures show a knife embodiment, the mechanism described may also be incorporated into a chopper such that a chopper may be provided with parallel blades in one configuration and with coextensive blades, forming a single blade, in a second configuration. In such a chopper configuration, a length of a handle of the chopper may extend in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axes of the individual blades.

Further, while the figures shown provide a knife with three blades combining to form a single blade, additional configurations are contemplated in which additional blades are provided, such that the single blade130comprises four or more individual blades.