Abstract:
In accordance with the present invention, a multi-use broad bladed knife is provided. The multi-use knife includes a broad blade, such as commonly used to apply spackle to a wall or other surface. The broad blade is attached to a handle, with a striking surface comprised of an appropriate hard material on the heel of the handle. Within the handle are slidably extendable and retractable implements, including a cutting edge and a screwdriver implement. The cutting edge and screwdriver implement may be extended through the heel of the handle through slits using buttons. The screwdriver implement and cutting edge may lock into place when extended for use and may also lock in place when retracted within the handle.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of the earlier U.S. Utility patent application to Shawn Stubbs entitled “MULTI-USE BROAD BLADED KNIFE,” Ser. No. 10/190,423, filed Jul. 3, 2002, now pending, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated entirely herein by reference.  
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates generally to multi-use hand tools. More particular, the present invention relates to broad bladed knives such as those used for drywall construction that includes additional implements within its handle for use during work.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    The construction and finishing of drywall constructions, commonly used throughout the United States and the world, requires a variety of tools and implements. During the assembly process, panels of drywall are affixed to support members such as wood or metal studs. If necessary drywall panels may be cut to fit as needed for a wall. Typically, drywall panels are affixed to the support members using screws. After drywall panels have been affixed to the support members, the gaps between abutting drywall panels must be sealed to provide a surface suitable for painting, wallpapering, or the finishing. This process is usually accomplished using putty compounds (sometimes referred to as “spackle” or “mud”, terms that will be used interchangeably herein) and special purpose tape. The resulting seams are typically smoothed using sandpaper or other abrasives, with additional putty compound being applied as necessary to provide a surface of appropriate consistency for painting or the application of some other covering.  
           [0006]    As one skilled in the art will realize, this process requires several tools. Saws and/or sharp knives may be used to cut drywall panels to fit as needed for a wall. A screwdriver or appropriate drill and bit is required to tighten the screws used to affix drywall panels to support members. The process of filling gaps between drywall panels using appropriate tape and putty requires a sharp bladed knife or razorblade to cut the tape and a broad bladed knife to spread and smooth the putty compound.  
           [0007]    One skilled in the art will realize that, while different portions of the assembly process require different tools, the assembly process itself does not always comprise entirely discreet steps. For example, during the process of preparing appropriate seams to fill gaps between adjoining drywall panels, a screw affixing a drywall panel to a support member may require further tightening to prevent it from protruding above the drywall surface. Other tools, such as hammers or other pounding implements, may be needed during the process to flatten threads from the tape that would otherwise prevent an appropriately smooth surface from being obtained. A sharp bladed knife may also be useful to trim drywall panels after they are affixed to the support members, or for trimming excess tape. Meeting this multiplicity of needs with a single tool presents a challenge within the art.  
           [0008]    As can be seen from a brief description of the drywall assembly process, multiple tools may be required during the process, which may require a drywaller to carry numerous different tools and to waste time on a job switching between them. This problem of wasting time while switching between tools can be particularly acute while putty compound and tape are being applied to join drywall portions smoothly. During this process, a worker typically uses a broad bladed knife, sometimes referred to as a drywall knife, to spread putty compound into and around the gaps between drywall panels and on screw heads and to smooth the putty initially. As part of this process, the broad blade may engage raised screw heads which will require attention, or stray ends of tape may be detected but require cutting, or threads from the tape may be discovered that will require flattening using a hammer or other pounding tool.  
           [0009]    It is the object of this invention to provide a convenient broad bladed knife for use in the application of the putty compound that also incorporates therein a screwdriver, a sharp knife or razorblade, and a surface suitable for pounding. Such a device should secure the cutting edge and screwdriver tip in a fashion that prevents inadvertent engagement with the user, which could cause injury, while further allowing the cutting edge and screwdriver to be easily and quickly accessed. Such a device should also be capable of one-handed operation.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0010]    In accordance with the foregoing, the present invention provides a broad bladed knife for use in applying putty during drywall construction, with a screwdriver, cutting edge such as knife or a razor blade, and pounding surface included integrally with the broad bladed knife. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the pounding surface is included on the heel portion of the handle of the broad bladed knife. The screwdriver and the cutting edge are slidably retracted within the handle of the broad bladed knife.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a view of a broad bladed knife in accordance with the present invention with the cutting edge and screwdriver retracted;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a view of a broad bladed knife in accordance with the present invention with the cutting edge and screwdriver extended;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a view of a broad bladed knife in accordance with the present invention with the screwdriver extended;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a view of a broad blade component suitable for use in the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a view of pounding surface, cutting edge, and screwdriver assemblies suitable for use with the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 is a view of the pounding surface;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the handle of a broad bladed knife in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 8 is a view of the cutting edge assembly; and  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 9 is a view of the screwdriver assembly.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0020]    In accordance with the present invention, a broad bladed knife with additional tool implements is provided. Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the knife assembly  100  includes a broad blade  110  rigidly affixed to a handle  120 . The broad blade  110  may be constructed from a suitably rigid and durable metal, although other materials, such as appropriate plastics, could be used. The broad blade  110  may have any desired width, but widths of 2 inches, 3 inches, 4 inches, 5 inches, or 6 inches are appropriate. The handle  120  may be constructed of molded plastic or other materials. The handle  120  may appropriately be molded or cut to fit the form of a users hand.  
         [0021]    In accordance with the present invention, a firm pounding surface  150  is rigidly affixed to handle  120  opposite from the broad blade  110 . The pounding surface  150  may appropriately be constructed of a hard metal or other sufficiently durable and hard material. Within the handle  120  is contained a cutting edge  130 , such as a razor blade and a screwdriver  140 . The cutting edge  130  and screwdriver  140  may be slidably retracted and contained within the handle  120  when not in use. Also included may be a first button  132  and a second button  142  accessible from the exterior of the handle  120 . The first button  132  is operably connected to the cutting edge  130  and the second button  142  is operably connected to the screwdriver  140 . The cutting edge  130  may be extended from the handle  120  by depressing the first button  132  and moving the first button  132  along handle  120  toward the pounding surface  150 . The cutting edge  130  may be retracted by depressing the first button  132  and moving the first button  132  along the handle  120  toward the broad blade  110 . The screwdriver  140  may be extended and retracted from the handle  120  in a similar fashion using the second button  142 .  
         [0022]    The operation of the broad bladed knife  100  in accordance with the present invention proceeds as typical while applying putty to a drywall surface. The advantage of the present invention becomes apparent when, in the course of using the broad bladed knife  100 , a pounding surface  150 , screwdriver  140 , or cutting edge  130  is needed. For example, a worker using a broad bladed knife  100  in accordance with the present invention may discover while applying putty using the broad blade  110  that tape threads on the wall require pounding to smooth them. The worker can simply reverse the broad bladed knife  100  and use the pounding surface  150  on the handle  120  to pound those threads. A worker may also discover while applying putty using the broad blade  110  that one or more screws require tightening to bring them below the surface of the wall. The worker may then simply extend the screwdriver  140  from the handle  120  of the broad bladed knife  100  and use it to tighten the screws. Likewise, a worker may determine that a portion of tape or other material needs to be cut to provide an appropriately smooth surface. The worker may then extend the cutting edge  130  from the handle  120  of the knife  100  and use it to cut as needed. At this time, it is worthwhile to note an additional advantage that the knife in accordance with the present invention provides. By disposing the cutting edge  130  and screwdriver  140  retractably within the handle  120 , a worker may use all aspects of the present invention with only one hand. For example, a worker holding the broad bladed knife  100  in one hand while applying a putty may reverse the knife to pound, or extend the cutting edge  130  or screwdriver  140  using the first button  132  or second button  142 , all with only one hand. This allows the worker to use his other hand to steady himself or to hold other work related items such as a pan of mud or other materials.  
         [0023]    Referring now to FIG. 4, the broad blade assembly  400  is shown. The broad blade  110  extends from the handle  120 , and is used to apply spackle to a wall surface. The handle extension  410  extends from the broad blade  110  and allows the broad blade assembly  400  to be firmly secured to the handle  120  during use. Screw holes  420 ,  422 ,  424  allow screws to be used to firmly affix the broad blade assembly  400  to the handle  120 . It should be noted that a notch  430  may be placed within the handle portion  410  to allow the screwdriver assembly  900  to be retracted within the handle  120  without engaging the handle portion  410 .  
         [0024]    Referring now to FIG. 5, the heel assembly  500  is illustrated in greater detail. The pounding surface  150  may be constructed of an appropriately durable and hard material to allow it to be used to pound threads or other materials without undue wear. Two extensions  510 ,  520  extend from the pounding surface  150  to facilitate attaching the pounding surface  150  to the handle  120  of the broad bladed knife  100 . Screw holes  513 ,  515 ,  517 , are included in the first extension  510 . The second extension  520  includes screw holes  523 ,  525 ,  527 . Screwdriver  140  extends through hole  640  in the pounding surface  150  for use. Likewise, cutting edge  130  extends through slot  630  and pounding surface  150  to be used. A prong  530  extends from the pounding surface  150  to further facilitate the rigidity of the handle  120 .  
         [0025]    Referring now to FIG. 7, an exploded view of the handle  120  is shown. The handle  120  includes a first handle portion  122  and a second handle portion  124 . The handle extension  410  is dimensioned to fit securely between the first extension  510  and the second extension  520  of the heel assembly  500 . The first handle portion  122  includes screw hole  825  and notch  730 . Notch  730  engages nub  530  to retain handle portion  122  within the handle  120 . Handle portion  122  is also retained within the handle  120  by using screw  125  that extends through and engages screw hole  825  in the first handle portion  122 , the screw hole  515  and the first extension  510 , the screw hole  425  in the handle extension  410  of the broad blade assembly  400 , and the screw hole  525  in the second extension  520 . The second handle portion  124  includes screw holes  921 ,  923 . Screw  121  extends through and engages screw hole  921  on the second handle portion  124 , screw hole  527  on the second extension  520 , screw hole  427  on the handle extension  410  of the broad blade assembly  400 , and screw hole  517  of the first extension  510 . Screw  123  extends through and engages screw hole  923  on the second handle portion  124 , screw hole  523  on the second extension  520 , screw hole  423  on the handle extension  410  of the broad blade assembly  400 , and screw hole  513  on the first extension  510 .  
         [0026]    Referring now to FIG. 8, the first handle portion  122  and the cutting edge assembly  800  are illustrated. Notches  730 ,  732  in the first handle portion  122  engage nubs  530 , not shown of the heel assembly  700 . The cutting edge  130  is retained within the first handle portion  122  of the handle  120  when it is retracted. The cutting edge  130  includes a sharpened point  810  and a spine  820 . The cutting edge  130  attaches to a flange  830 . The flange  830  may typically be made integral with the spine  820 , or may be attached using welding, rivets, or adhesives. The flange  830  may appropriately be constructed of a flexible metal, but other materials, including plastics, may be used. The flange  830  includes a prong  850  and a stem  840 . The stem  840  extends from the flange  830  and terminates in the first button  132 . When the first button  132  is depressed, the stem  840  forces the flange  830  downwards. When the flange  830  is forced downwards, the prong  850  travels downwards as well. The prong  850  may engage a first recess  851  integral to the first handle portion  122 . When the prong  850  engages the first recess  851 , the cutting edge  130  is retracted completely within the handle  120 . When the first button  132  is depressed, the prong  850  is forced downwards from the first recess  851 , allowing the entire cutting edge assembly  800  to slide along the length of the first handle portion  122 . If the first button  132  is released as the cutting edge assembly  800  slides, the prong  850  will engage a second recess  852  integral to the interior of the first handle portion  122 . If the prong  850  engages the second recess  852 , the cutting edge  130  will be partially extended from the pounding surface  150  of the handle  120 . If the first button  132  is depressed and the cutting edge assembly  800  is slid further along the length of the handle, the prong will engage a third recess  850 . When the prong  850  engages the third recess  853 , the cutting edge assembly  800  is as fully extended from the pounding surface  150  of the handle  120  as permitted by the construction of the broad bladed knife in accordance with the present invention. Optionally, a greater number of recesses may be provided if a greater degree of adjustment of the extension of the cutting edge  130  is desired. It should be further noted that a groove  870  within the interior of the first handle portion  122  holds the cutting edge  130  as it slides within the first handle portion  122 .  
         [0027]    Referring now to FIG. 9 the screwdriver assembly  900  and the second handle portion  124  is further illustrated. As described above, the second handle portion  124  includes screw holes  921 ,  923 . The screwdriver  140  includes a screwdriver tip  910  and a screwdriver barrel  920 . The barrel  920  engages socket  925 , in which the screwdriver  140  is retained. The barrel  920  may be formed integrally with the socket  925 , or may be affixed to it using a variety of means, such as adhesives, screws, welding, or rivets. The socket  925  attaches to a flange  930 . The flange  930  includes a prong  950  and a stem  940 . The second button  142  extends from the stem  940 . When the second button  142  is depressed the force downwards extends through the stem  940  to the flange  930 , causing the flange  930  to bend downwards. The flange  930  may be constructed of a material similar to the flange  830  used in the cutting edge assembly  800 . When the second button  142  is pressed downwards, the force transmitted through the stem  940  to the flange  930  causes the prong  950  to extend downwards. When the prong  950  is forced downwards, the screwdriver assembly  900  may be slid along the length of the handle  120  within the second handle portion  124 . A first recess  951  and a second recess  952  are included integrally with the second handle portion  124 . When the prong  950  engages the first recess  951 , the screwdriver assembly  900  is retracted within the handle  120 . Whenever the prong  950  engages the second recess  952 , the screwdriver  140  extends from the pounding surface  150  of the handle  120  for use.