Knife having an easy assembling structure

Abstract: A knife includes two casings (17, 20) having a structure that may be easily assembled together without additional tools. The casings (17, 20) each includes a latch (18, 21) formed on one end for engaging with each other and for securing one end of the casings (17, 20) together. A knob (30) is slidably engaged on one of the casings (20) and includes a hook (38) for engaging with the other casing (17) and for securing the casings (17, 20) together. A spring (34) may bias the hook (38) to engage with an engaging recess (191) of the other casing (17).

Description: The invention relates to a knife of the general type defined in the preamble of claim 1, as for example shown in EP-A-0 462 334 and having an easily assembling structure. Typical knifes comprises a pair of casings secured together by screws, such that an additional tool is required for assembling the casings together. The invention, which is defined by claim 1, provides a utility knife that may be easily assembled without additional tools. FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a knife; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the knife; FIGS. 3 and 4 are cross sectional views taken along lines 3-3 and 4-4 of FIG. 2; and FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic views illustrating the operation of the knife. Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a knife comprises a body 10 having a groove 11 for slidably receiving a holder 12 that is used for securing a knife blade 14 and that has a button 16 extended outward through a slot 15 for allowing the button 16 to move the knife blade 14 inward and outward of the body 10. The body 10 includes two casings 17, 20 each having a latch 18, 21 formed in the front end for engaging with each other and for securing the front portions of the casings 17, 20 together. The casing 17 includes a projection 19 extended inward from the middle portion and having an engaging recess 191 and having a tapered surface 193. The other casing 20 includes a pair of shoulders 26 and a channel 22 for slidably receiving a knob 30 which has a pair of flanges 32 for slidably engaging with the shoulders 26 and for preventing the knob 30 from being disengaged from the casing 20. The casing 20 includes an opening 23 and a notch 24 for engaging with a spring 34. The knob 30 includes a bulge 31 extended through the opening 23 and a stud 33 for engaging with the spring 34 which is engaged between the knob 30 and the casing 20. The bulge 31 has a hook 38 biased to engage with the engaging recess 191 of the projection 19. The hook 38 has a tapered surface 382 for engaging with the tapered surface 193 of the projection 19. When assembling the casings 17, 20, the latches 18, 21 of the casings 17, 20 are first engaged with each other. The casings 17, 20 are then forced toward each other. The tapered surface 382 of the hook 38 may engage with and slip over the tapered surface 193 of the projection 19, and the knob 30 may be forced to move against the spring 34 for allowing the hook 38 to engage with the engaging recess 191 of the projection 19 and for allowing the casings 17, 20 to be easily and quickly assembled together (FIGS. 3, 5). When separating the casings 17, 20 from each other, as shown in FIG. 6, it is only required to move the knob 30 against the spring 34 for disengaging the hook 38 from the engaging recess 191. The casings 17, 20 may thus be easily separated from each other.

Claims: A knife comprising two casings (17, 20) each including a first end having a latch (18, 21) engaged with each other for securing the first ends of the casings (17, 20) together, characterized in that : a first of the casings (17) includes an engaging recess (191), a knob (30) is slidably engaged on a second of the casings (20) and includes a hook (38) for engaging with the engaging recess (191) of the first casing (17), and means (34) for biasing the hook (38) to engage with the engaging recess (191). The knife according to claim 1, wherein the first casing (17) includes a projection (19), the engaging recess (191) is formed in the projection (19). The knife according to claim 2, wherein the projection (19) includes a tapered surface (193), the hook (38) includes a tapered surface (382) for engaging with the tapered surface (193) of the projection (19) and for allowing the hook (38) to be moved to engage with the engaging recess (191) against the biasing means (34).

Inventors: HUANG YIN HAN, HUANG, YIN HAN
Applicants: HUANG YIN HAN, HUANG, YIN HAN
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B26B5
IPC codes: B26B5