Quick release utility knife blade holder

A quick release utility blade holder preferably includes a handle member and a retention clip. The handle member preferably includes a clip pocket, which is sized to receive the retention clip. A pair of opposed blade grooves are formed below a bottom of the clip pocket to slidably receive a utility knife blade. The retention clip includes a lift tab, a notch lock projection and a blade stop projection. The blade stop projection stops insertion of the utility knife blade. The notch lock projection is sized to be received by one of the notches in the utility knife blade. The lift tab extends from one end of the retention clip at one end of the handle member and one end of the clip pocket. The other end of the retention clip is secured to the handle member at the other end of the clip pocket with at least one fastener.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to knives and more specifically to a quick release utility knife blade holder, which allows a utility knife blade to be removed and installed quickly.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

Patent application no. 2002/0096032 to Peyrot et al. discloses a cutter monoblock blade carrier with securement and release of the blade by pressure. U.S. Pat. No. 7,194,809 to Skluzak discloses a quick release blade and knife. Patent application no. 2009/0165309 to Kamb et al. discloses a utility knife with blade release mechanism. U.S. Pat. No. 8,201,336 to De discloses a retractable utility knife.

Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a quick release utility knife blade holder, which allows a utility knife blade to be removed and installed quickly; and which is more economical to manufacture than that of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a quick release utility knife blade holder, which is more economical to manufacture than that of the prior art. The quick release utility knife blade holder (quick release blade holder) preferably includes a handle member and a retention clip. The handle member includes an elongated shape. A clip pocket is preferably formed in one end of the handle member. The clip pocket is sized to receive the retention clip. A pair of opposed blade grooves are formed below a bottom of the clip pocket, substantially parallel to a bottom of the clip pocket. The pair of opposed blade grooves are sized to slidably receive a thickness of a utility knife blade. The retention clip preferably includes a lift tab, a notch stop projection and a blade stop projection. The lift tab extends from one end of the retention clip at the one end of the handle member and one end of the clip pocket. The other end of the retention clip is secured to the handle member at the other end of the clip pocket with at least one fastener.

In use, the retention clip is pulled away from the one end of the clip pocket with the lift tab; and the utility knife blade is inserted into the pair of opposed blade grooves, until an end of the utility knife blade contacts the blade stop projection. The lift tab is released and the notch lock projection is located to fit in one of the notches on a top of the utility knife blade. The notch lock projection prevents axial movement of the utility knife blade within the pair of opposed blade grooves. The utility knife blade is removed by pulling the retention clip away from the clip pocket with the lift tab, until the notch lock projection is pulled out of the notch in the utility knife blade and pulling the utility knife blade out of the pair of opposed blade grooves.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a quick release blade holder, which allows a utility knife blade to be removed and installed quickly.

Finally, it is another object of the present invention to provide a quick release blade holder, which is more economical to manufacture than that of the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawings, and particularly toFIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a quick release blade holder1. With reference toFIGS. 2-5, the quick release blade holder1preferably includes a handle member10and a retention clip12. The handle member10includes an elongated shape. A clip pocket14is formed in one end of the handle member10. The clip pocket14is sized to receive the retention clip12. With reference toFIG. 6, a pair of opposed blade grooves16are formed below a bottom of the clip pocket14, substantially parallel to a bottom of the clip pocket14. A length of the pair of opposed blade grooves16are substantially parallel to an axis15of the handle member10. The pair of opposed blade grooves16are sized to slidably receive a thickness of a utility knife blade100. With reference toFIGS. 7-8, the retention clip12preferably includes a lift tab18, a notch lock projection20and a blade stop projection22. The lift tab18extends from one end of the retention clip12at the one end of the handle member10and one end of the clip pocket14. The other end of the retention clip12is preferably secured to the handle member10at the other end of the clip pocket14with at least one fastener24and a nut26. However, the retention clip12may be secured to the handle member10with any other suitable fastening technique. The retention clip12is fabricated from a material having memory, such as spring steel.

The notch lock projection20is preferably formed through the retention clip12, adjacent the lift tab18with a lancing operation. However, the notch lock projection20may also be created with any other suitable structure, method or technique. The notch lock projection20is sized to be received by one of the two notches102formed in a top of the utility knife blade100. A notch lock receiver hole28is formed through the handle portion10to receive the notch lock projection20. The blade stop projection22is preferably formed through substantially a middle of the retention clip12with a lancing operation. However, other types of blade stops may also be used, such as a dowel extending from the handle member10. A blade stop clearance hole30is formed through the handle portion10to provide clearance for the blade stop projection22. A hexagon opening32is preferably formed through the handle to receive the nut26.

In use, the retention clip12is pulled away from the clip pocket14with the lift tab18; and the utility knife blade100is inserted into the pair of opposed blade grooves16, until an end of the utility knife blade100contacts the blade stop projection22. The lift tab18is released and the notch lock projection20is located to fit in one of the two notches102. The notch stop projection20prevents axially movement within the pair of opposed blade grooves16. The utility knife blade100is removed by pulling the retention clip12away from the clip pocket14with the lift tab18, until the notch lock projection20is pulled out of the notch102and pulling the utility knife blade100out of the pair of opposed blade grooves16.