Abstract:
The invention is an electric knife that runs on a battery or by use of a corded power converter. The handle housing has an electric reciprocating motor activated by a power button located on the handle of the knife. Different sizes and shapes of knife blades, dependent on the task, can be inserted into a locking slot in the front of the motorized head, and only released by a heavy-duty lock knife release button. The motorized head is powered directly by an electric motor located directly behind it in the handle.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a Continuation in Part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/435,170, filed on Nov. 5, 1999 and herein abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to electric knives and, more particularly, to a cordless electric knife having interchangeability of the various blades. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In recent history, one improvement on conventional knife designs, the electric knife, has revolutionized the field by providing a knife having a reciprocating blade driven by an electric motor. Greatly reducing the amount of work required of the user, the electric knife turns monumental tasks such as turkey carving into a simple chore. Typically requiring the availability of an electric outlet, the use of these devices has been limited, however, to kitchens and other in-home applications. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related. 
     The following patents describe the design and function of a handle for an electric knife: U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,006 issued in the name of McCullough; U.S. Pat. No. D 298,601 issued in the name of Tsuji; and, U.S Pat. No. D 286,491 issued in the name of Levin. 
     The following patents disclose various ornamental designs of cordless electric knife handles: U.S Pat. No. D 312,192 issued in the name of Barrault; U.S Pat. No. D 306,813 issued in the name of Naft et al.; and U.S Pat. No. D 286,969 issued in the name of McCloskey. 
     U.S Pat. No. 5,230,154 issued in the name of Decker et al. describes a modular power-driven rotary knife able to accommodate different tasks. 
     U.S Pat. No. 4,891,884 issued in the name of Torbet discloses a cordless hand-held automatic bladed kitchen appliance. 
     U.S Pat. No. D 207,767 issued in the name of Bremshay et al. describes an ornamental design for a power-operated carving knife. 
     While some features of providing an electric knife having a reciprocating blade that is driven by a rechargeable battery driven power supply adjustable may be incorporated into this invention as well as in other related references, other elements in combination are different enough as to make the combination distinguished over these related references. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, it is an object of the invention to indicate a device of the type disclosed above which avoids the disadvantages inherent in the state of the art. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved electric knife having interchangeability of the various blades, in combination with the in-handle storage feature to provide safety as well as convenience. 
     Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, an electric knife having a reciprocating blade that is driven by a rechargeable battery driven power supply. This lightweight, portable design, opens the doors to a variety of uses that are otherwise impossible with conventional cord powered models. Especially handy for fishermen and other outdoor users, the knife includes a variety of use specific blades such as filleting blades, utility blades and carving blades that allow the user to perform a multitude of tasks with ease and precision. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an elevated front perspective view of an Interchangeable Blade Cordless Electric Knife, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of an Interchangeable Blade Cordless Electric Knife, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of an Interchangeable Blade Cordless Electric Knife, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an Interchangeable Blade Cordless Electric Knife, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a rear view of an Interchangeable Blade Cordless Electric Knife, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a top view of an Interchangeable Blade Cordless Electric Knife, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a top cutaway view of an Interchangeable Blade Cordless Electric Knife taken along line VII—VII of FIG. 2, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is an elevated rear exploded perspective view of an Interchangeable Blade Cordless Electric Knife, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of the various cutting blades for use with an Interchangeable Blade Cordless Electric Knife, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 a  is a perspective view of an alternating current cord adapter for use with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 10 b  is a perspective view of a direct current cord adapter for use with the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, an Interchangeable Blade Cordless Electric Knife  10  shown, according to the present invention, wherein a plurality of interchangeable blades are disposed within the handle for storage. Device  10  is for use by the sportsman in the field for cutting and serrating fish, fowl, and game. A rechargeable battery is also disposed within a the handle for supplying power to a small electric motor. A sportsman can easily carry the device in their jacket, pants pocket, vest, or conveniently carry it in a tackle box. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, shown is a side view of an Interchangeable Blade Cordless Electric Knife  10  displaying the location of the important features of the device. Located at the front of the device is a motorized head  15  for providing a base for the Blade Receiving Slot/Locking Mechanism  16  is located for receiving blade  22  (not shown). Motorized head  15  is connected to a handle  11  which also serves as the housing for storing the blades  22  and battery  21  (not shown). Handle  11  is generally an elongated hollow cylinder flared outward at one end and having a sidewall at that end. Handle  11  and the housing for motorized head  15  may be constructed from plastic or metal. The other end is connected to motorized head  15  as described above. Located directly behind motorized head  15  on the top of the exterior sidewall of handle  11  is a power switch  17  for controlling the flow of electrical current to motor  15   a  (not shown). Located directly behind motorized head  15  on the bottom of the exterior sidewall of handle  11  is a knife blade release button  18  for releasing a knife blade  22  from Blade Receiving Slot/Locking Mechanism  16 . 
     FIG. 3 shows a front view of an Interchangeable Blade Cordless Electric Knife  10  where blades  22  may be inserted into Blade Receiving Slot/Locking Mechanism  16 . Blade Receiving Slot/Locking Mechanism  16  is typical of such mechanisms commonly found in electric kitchen knives. Such mechanisms will securely grip the knife blades until released by pushing a button. 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an Interchangeable Blade Cordless Electric Knife  10 , showing a detailed view of the location of knife blade release button  18 . FIG. 5 shows a rear view of device  10  and the location of battery compartment cover  20  and blade compartment cover  19 . Battery compartment cover  20  is held shut by a spring loaded battery compartment latch  20   b . Likewise, blade compartment cover  19  is held shut by a spring loaded blade compartment cover latch  19   b . FIG. 6 shows a top view of device  10  showing the location of power switch  17  on the top of the exterior sidewall of handle  11 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, a cutaway top view of device  10  is shown taken along line VII—VII of FIG. 2 along the elongated longitudinal axis of handle  11 . Gear Box  15   b  is disposed within motorized head  15 . Gear Box  15   b  is driven by electric motor  15   a  and converts the rotational energy of electric motor  15   a  to a reciprocating back and forth motion in the Blade Receiving Slot/Locking Mechanism  16  for driving the cutting blades  22 . Blade Receiving Slot/Locking Mechanism  16  is located in the center of motorized head  15 . A linkage  18   a  connects Blade Receiving Slot/Locking Mechanism  16  to blade release button  18 . Electric motor is supplied power via switched power wire  21   d  linked via power switch  17  from the positive battery contact  21   a.  The negative pole of electric motor  15   a  is connected to the negative battery contact  21   b  via ground wire  21   c.  Positive battery contact  21   a  is disposed within battery compartment  20   a  located on the interior of handle  11  on the inside of battery compartment cover  20 . The negative battery contact  21   b  is located to the front end of battery compartment  20   a.  Battery  21  is placed within battery compartment  20   a  secured by battery compartment cover  20 . Battery  21  is a rechargeable type battery that is typical of modern rechargeable tools and devices being an elongated cylinder with a positive pole on one end and a negative pole on the other. Such batteries are typically charged on a battery charger that sits on a counter type and is plugged into conventional household power outlets. Located above battery compartment  20   a  is cutting blade compartment  19   a,  an elongated cavity within handle  11 , for storing a plurality of cutting blades  22  that can be inserted into Blade Receiving Slot/Locking Mechanism  16 . 
     FIG. 8 shows an elevated exploded rear view of a device  10  showing how battery  21  is inserted into battery compartment  20   a.  Battery compartment cover  20  is shown in the open configuration. Battery compartment cover latch  20   b  is seen on the inner surface of cover  20 . Battery compartment cover latch  20   b  is spring biased so that when closed it engages a notch in the sidewall of handle  11 . Blade compartment cover  19  is also seen in the open configuration with blade compartment latch  19   b  seen on the inner surface. Blade compartment latch  19   b  is spring loaded and is designed to engage a notch in the sidewall of handle  11  when blade compartment cover  19  is in the closed configuration. A plurality of blades  22  can also be seen outside of handle  11 . 
     FIG. 9 shows a side view of a plurality of interchangeable blades  22 , including a 7½″ stainless steel fillet blade, a 7½″ carving blade, and a small stainless steel knife. These blades are given as examples only and no way imply any limitation of the blades that could be used with device  10 . Blades  22  are a pair of stainless steel blades placed next to each other and connected via a tab on one blades and a slot on the other. In this fashion, the blades are free to slide against each other providing a cutting motion when the power is turned on. 
     Referring now to FIG. 10 a,  an alternating current power adapter  100  is shown for use with the present invention. Anticipated as replacing battery  21  and battery compartment cover  20 , the adapter  100  is formed of a generally cylindrical housing  102  having the overall size and dimensions of the battery  21  that is being replaced. A positive contact  21   a  is provided at the distal end of the housing, and a battery compartment cover  20  is integrally molded into proximal end. Similarly, a spring loaded latch  20   b  is also provided such that when the housing  102  is inserted into the battery compartment of the handle housing, the positive contact  21   a  engages in firm mechanical and electrical contact with the ground wire  21   c.  At the same time, as the cover  20  mechanically attaches to the handle housing such that the spring loaded latch  20   b  engages, the negative contact  21   b  engages in firm electrical contact with the motor  15   a  and completes the electrical circuit. In this embodiment, the housing  102  retains an alternating to direct voltage converter that is anticipated to convert household, 110 VAC analog current to a digital voltage sufficient to power the motor  15   a.  A power cord  104  terminates at a distal end with an otherwise conventional plug  106 , and is in electrical communication with the A/C converter at its proximal end. 
     Finally, in FIG. 10 b,  a direct current power adapter  110  is shown for use with the present invention. Anticipated as replacing battery  21  and battery compartment cover  20 , the adapter  110  is formed of a generally cylindrical housing  112  having the overall size and dimensions of the battery  21  that is being replaced. A positive contact  21   a  is provided at the distal end of the housing, and a battery compartment cover  20  is integrally molded into proximal end. Similarly, a spring loaded latch  20   b  is also provided such that when the housing  112  is inserted into the battery compartment of the handle housing, the positive contact  21   a  engages in firm mechanical and electrical contact with the ground wire  21   c.  At the same time, as the cover  20  mechanically attaches to the handle housing such that the spring loaded latch  20   b  engages, the negative contact  21   b  engages in firm electrical contact with the motor  15   a  and completes the electrical circuit. In this embodiment, the housing  112  retains an direct current voltage converter that is anticipated to convert household various voltages of direct current to a fixed voltage sufficient to power the motor  15   a.  A power cord  104  terminates at a distal end with an otherwise conventional vehicle plug adapter  116  for inserting into an otherwise convention vehicle cigarette lighter, and is in electrical communication with the current converter at its proximal end. 
     2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
     To use the present invention, one inserts a pair of blades into the slot in the front of the motorized head. The slot is designed to lock the blades into the motorized and mechanically connect the blades to the electric motor. A plurality of blades of different shape are stored in the interior of the handle. A small door with a locking tab will allow a user access the blades. A power switch on the handle energizes the motor with electrical power from the battery. One simply pushes the power switch to energize the device. The device can be used to cut or fillet fish, fowl, or game. When one is done using the device, the power is switched off and the blades removed from the motorized head by pushing a release button on the bottom of the handle. The blades can now be cleaned and stored with the other blades. The battery may also be removed and recharged by putting it in the included counter top recharger powered by household current. The battery is accessed by opening a small door with a locking tab covering the battery compartment. 
     As designed, a device embodying the teachings of the present invention is easily applied. The foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. As one can envision, an individual skilled in the relevant art, in conjunction with the present teachings, would be capable of incorporating many minor modifications that are anticipated within this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be broadly limited only by the following claims.