Patent Publication Number: US-6341425-B1

Title: Cordless electric fillet knife

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to electric knives and, more specifically, to cordless electric fillet knives. The field of electric knives is well represented in prior art. Several methods for producing cutting are known: using either one blade or a set of two blades with serrated edges joined together side-by-side can be made to cut using electromechanical means to produce a continuous series of back and forth repetitive axial movements of the blade with respect to the blade handle. Variations exist within this class of movement for the two blade configuration wherein one blade is fixed to the handle and the other is secured to the fixed blade in such a way as to allow it to slide in a limited displacement axial motion by the action of a motor to which the movable blade is connected by any of a variety of means. Another method is to connect both blades to each other as in the previous example and, in turn, to a electromechanical means of producing a reciprocating movement of the blades against one another. This axial movement produces either a slicing or shearing action for the one or two blade configuration devices respectively. Various alternative means for producing this type of motion have been protected as well as additional features such as offset blades for cutting inside recesses. Cordless and battery operated devices are also well known and well represented in this field. However, in applying this type of power source to fishing knives and specifically to filleting knives, no known example of prior art has dealt with the attendant problems of cordless day and night operation of electromechanical actuated filleting knives around and, on the occasion of accident, within a water environment. 
     The present invention, the Cordless Electric Fillet Knife, is the only known device of its kind to successfully deal with this problem. The present invention is basically a standard electric knife with several built-in enhancements which make it uniquely suited for use in its intended watery environment. In case it is accidentally dropped in the water, it has several floatation chambers in the handle and the end cap that will keep it afloat and nearly waterfree for a long time, certainly time enough for any reasonably serious effort at retrieval to be effective without incurring any water damage whatsoever. The only area not completely watertight is at the juncture of the knife and handle, which is water-resistant. The critical areas around switches and access openings are watertight. There is also a light in the top front area of the handle for night or low visibility conditions. The Cordless Electric Fillet Knife is just what the inveterate fisherman has been waiting for. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     There are other electric knife devices designed for culinary application. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 4,593,466 issued to William J O&#39;Brien on Jun. 10, 1986. 
     Another patent was issued to Robert B. Ruston, Sr. on Dec. 8, 1997 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,711,030. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 4,891,884 was issued to Philip Torbet on Jan. 9, 1990 and still yet another was issued on May 1, 1990 to George A. Moore as U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,612. 
     Another patent was issued to Richard B. Maxcy on Apr. 4, 1995 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,575. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,404 was issued to Norman C. Jeffcoat on Dec. 8, 1998. Another was issued to Don R. McCloskey on Dec. 2, 1986 as U.S. Pat. No. Des. 286,969 and still yet another was issued on Nov. 20, 1990 to Jean-Louis Barrault as U.S. Pat. No. Des. 312,192. Another patent was issued on Dec. 30, 1997 to Amir M. Neshat as U.S. Pat. No. Des. 388,285 and still another was issued to Shigehiro Uemura, et al. On Jul. 6, 1999 as U.S. Pat. No. Des. 411,785. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,593,466 
     Inventor: William J O&#39;Brien 
     Issued: Jun. 10, 1986 
     An electric knife of the kind having an elongated handle that serves as a container for a driving electric motor, a pair of blades projecting in an axial direction from the handle, the blades being releasably secured to a drive connected to the motor in such a manner that the blades are reciprocated so as to move in sliding contact with each other the blades having serrated cutting edges, which is characterized by the feature that the line containing the serrated cutting edge of each of the blades is off set from the axis of the handle in such a manner that if the line is extended in the direction of the handle there is a space between the line and any adjacent portion of the handle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,711,030 
     Inventor: Robert B. Ruston 
     Issued: Dec. 8, 1997 
     A portable, hand-held electric knife having dual cutting blades is powered by a DC electric motor which draws its operating current from a remote storage battery. The cutting blades are mechanically coupled to the armature shaft of the DC electric motor by a gear assembly in which a pair of bevel gears are mounted for free rotation on a support shaft and are engaged by a beveled pinion gear attached to the rotor armature. Each blade is movably coupled to a selected bevel gear by a pin. In response to rotation of the drive pinion, the beveled gears are driven in counter-rotating motion. As the driven gears rotate, the blades are extended and retracted in side-by-side relation. A fulcrum shaft is received through aligned slots formed in the blades. Linear reciprocating movement of the blades relative to each other is stabilized and arcuate reciprocating movement of the coupled blades is effected as the blades pivot about the fulcrum shaft. According to this arrangement, the coupled blades undergo simultaneous linear reciprocal movement along parallel paths of extension and retraction, and arcuate reciprocal movement about a path transverse thereto. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,891,884 
     Inventor: Philip Torbet 
     Issued: Jan. 9, 1990 
     A light weight hand holdable appliance having a plurality of blade-like components for slicing peeling and the like. The appliance preferably is cordless and rechargeable and has a handle assembly within which is a high speed motor, a reciprocating mechanism and an interconnecting gear reduction and cam means for translating the high speed rotation of the motor to a powerful reciprocating stroke of the mechanism. The blade-like components include a knife having a thin single blade, particularly suitable for slicing, and a peeler having a thin single peeling blade and a guide spaced therefrom to facilitate peeling. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,612 
     Inventor: George A. Moore 
     Issued: May 1, 1990 
     A knife for filleting fish includes a generally flat cutting blade disposed in a first plane and having a proximal end and a distal end. A generally flat boning blade is disposed in a second plane and has a proximal end, a distal end and a cutting edge. The proximal end of the boning blade is attached to the distal end of the cutting blade in a manner such that the first plane of the cutting blade and the second plane of the boning blade are generally normal to one another. A handle is attached to the proximal end of the cutting blade and the knife thereby permits cutting of a fish along either of two cutting axes without substantially changing the orientation of the knife with respect to the fish. 
     Several embodiments are disclosed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,575 
     Inventor: Richard B. Maxcy 
     Issued: Apr. 4, 1995 
     The folding knife has a handle provided with a blade support the intermediate part thereof being of less width than the first and second end. A lengthwise slot in the front edge extends through the first end to provide a fork and the bottom of the slot is so spaced from the back edge of the handle to provide a section having a chamber opening through the sides of the section when one of the side covers of the handle is removed. A passageway from the chamber opens through the second end of the blade support and is closed by a lens. A battery and a switch assembly fit in the chamber with the switch assembly provided with a tubular lamp socket which, when the battery and assembly are held by a grounding spring in an operative position extends through the socket. The assembly includes a two part circuit closing push button with one part extending through and held by the back edge of the handle and the other part incorporated in the assembly. The blade is pivotally connected to the fork. Each pair of springs is anchored to a side of the slot to accommodate the blade between them when the knife is closed and each is supported by the blade pivot but is moveable in directions normal thereto and has a lug extending laterally to ride on the cam surfaces of the attached end of the blade. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,404 
     Inventor: Norman C. Jeffcoat 
     Issued: Dec. 8, 1998 
     An ergonornically-designed, multipurpose tool including a handle, a blade with a shank and a tip, and a fastener for attaching the handle to the shank. The blade has a curved outer edge extending substantially from the shank to the tip, with, preferably, an integrally-formed gut hook positioned near the shank and opening toward the tip. A portion of the outer edge is sharpened to form a cutting edge. The fastener is user-operable for moving the blade from a first operating position where it opposes the handle to at least one next operating position, for example, extending forward of the handle for use as a hatchet. Regardless of the position of the blade, the user can control the length and direction of a cut by pivoting the wrist alone, the forearm at the elbow, the entire arm from the hand gripping the knife to the shoulder, by pushing or pulling the knife with the hand and forearm, or any combination thereof Range of motion, dexterity and control of the cutting edge are thereby improved, with greater comfort than is possible with a conventional knife. The handle may include a compartment for storing one or more additional instruments for use therewith, such as a saw, a serrated blade, an ice pick, a fish hook, a knife blade, a file, a wrench, and a screw driver. 
     U.S. Pat. No. Des. 286,969 
     Inventor: Don R. McCloskey 
     Issued: Dec. 2, 1986 
     This United States Patent discloses an ornamental design for a cordless electric knife housing as illustrated in the drawings of the patent. 
     U.S. Pat. No. Des. 312,192 
     Inventor: Jean-Louis Barrault 
     Issued: Nov. 20, 1990 
     This United States Patent discloses an ornamental design for a cordless electric knife handle as illustrated in the drawings of the patent. 
     U.S. Pat. No. Des. 388,285 
     Inventor: Amir M. Neshat 
     Issued: Dec. 30, 1997 
     This United States Patent discloses an ornamental design for a electric fillet knife handle as illustrated in the drawings of the patent. 
     U.S. Pat. No. Des. 411,785 
     Inventor: Shigehiro Uemura 
     Issued: Jul. 6, 1999 
     This United States Patent discloses an ornamental design for a electric knife handle, as illustrated in the drawings of the patent. 
     While these electric knives may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention is an improved electric knife with several enhancements which make it uniquely suited for use in its intended watery environment. In case it is accidentally dropped in the water, it has several floatation chambers in the handle and the end cap that will keep it afloat and nearly water and damage free for a reasonably long period, certainly time enough for any reasonably serious effort at retrieval to be effective. The end cap is highly buoyant, having a sealed partial vacuum chamber. The housing has several sealed buoyant air chambers in the rearmost area to directly offset the weight of the detachable battery pack. The motor housing unit also provides buoyancy and floatation by the presence of the water-resistant seal at the juncture of the knife blades and the handle housing. The critical areas around switches and access openings are also watertight for operating in wet or rainy conditions. Additionally, there is a light in the top front area of the handle with its nearby water-sealed switch for illuminating the work area when operating under night or low light conditions. The present invention comes with a carrying case and many additional components: a recharging unit for recharging the power pac, a reenergizer for charging the power pac and operating under AC simultaneously, a spare power pac, two different sized interchangeable blade sets, a blade cover, DC 12-volt power cord, AC power cord and the fillet knife housing unit. 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a fillet knife that would be especially adapted for use in a watery environment. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a rechargeable electromechanically operated fillet knife that would be especially adapted for use in a watery environment. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a rechargeable electromechanically operated fillet knife that would be especially adapted for use in a watery environment, including having floatation in case of an accidental drop in the water. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a rechargeable electromechanically operated fillet knife that would be especially adapted for use in a watery environment, including being water resistant for operation under wet or rainy conditions. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a rechargeable electromechanically operated fillet knife that would be especially adapted for use in a watery environment, including having a light for operation under low light or nighttime conditions. 
     Yet even another object of the present invention is to provide a rechargeable electromechanically operated fillet knife that would be especially adapted for use in a watery environment, including having a means for recharging the removable power pac unit. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a rechargeable electromechanically operated fillet knife that would be especially adapted for use in a watery environment, including having a means for recharging the power pac unit while continuing to operate on AC power. 
     Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing the only known device of its kind to deal successfully with this problem. The present invention, the Cordless Electric Fillet Knife, is basically a standard electric knife with several built-in enhancements which make it uniquely suited for use in its intended watery environment. In case it is accidentally dropped in the water, it has several floatation chambers in the handle and the end cap that will keep it afloat and nearly water and damage free for a reasonably long period, certainly time enough for any reasonably serious effort at retrieval to be effective. The end cap is highly buoyant, having a sealed partial vacuum chamber. The housing has several sealed buoyant air chambers in the rearmost area to directly offset the weight of the recharging unit. The motor housing unit also provides buoyancy and floatation by the presence of the water-resistant seal at the juncture of the knife blades and the handle housing. The critical areas around switches and access openings are also watertight for operating in wet or rainy conditions. Additionally, there is a light in the top front area of the handle with its nearby water-sealed switch for illuminating the work area when operating under night or low light conditions. The present invention comes with a carrying case and many additional components: a recharging unit for recharging the power pac, a reenergizer for charging the power pac and operating under AC simultaneously, a spare power pac, 2 different sized interchangeable blade sets, a blade cover, DC 12 volt power cord, AC power cord and of course, the fillet knife housing unit. The Cordless Electric Fillet Knife is just what the inveterate fisherman has been waiting for. 
     The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a person using the present invention, the Cordless Electric Fillet Knife. 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the carrying case for the present invention, the Cordless Electric Fillet Knife, with all its components stowed therein. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention, the Cordless Electric Fillet Knife, indicating the different features. 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing the separated components of the present invention, the Cordless Electric Fillet Knife. 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the present invention, the Cordless Electric Fillet Knife, showing its internal floatation and water-sealing features. 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the present invention, the Cordless Electric Fillet Knife, showing the interchangeable blades and blade protector. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the carrying case for the present invention, the Cordless Electric Fillet Knife, with all its components stowed therein. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the recharging unit of the present invention, the Cordless Electric Fillet Knife, with the rechargeable power pac in position within the recharging unit for recharging. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the present invention, the Cordless Electric Fillet Knife, using the reenergizer unit to keep operating under AC power while attaining and maintaining a fully charged power pac. 
    
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     regard to reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the drawings. 
       10  present invention 
       12  user 
       14  fish 
       16  hand 
       18  carrying case 
       20  top 
       22  hinges 
       24  handle 
       26  spare blades 
       28  blade protector 
       30  12 VDC cord 
       32  110 VAC cord 
       34  recharger 
       36  rechargeable power pac 
       38  re-energizer unit 
       40  recharger release 
       42  blades 
       44  on/off switch 
       46  switch lock 
       48  light 
       50  light switch 
       52  end cap 
       54  flotation chamber 
       56  watertight seal 
       58  motor 
       60  electrical plug connecting means 
       62  electrical wire 
       63  water resistant seal 
       64  case handle 
       66  case latch 
       68  fuill charge light 
       70  low charge light 
       72  socket 
       74  reciprocating arm 
       76  attachment means 
       78  apertures 
       80  attachment means 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which FIGS. 1 through 9 illustrate the present invention being a cordless electric fillet knife. 
     Turning to FIG. 1, shown therein is a perspective view of a person  12  using the present invention  10 , being a cordless electric fillet knife to fillet a fish  14  which the user is holding in his hand  16 . 
     Turning to FIG. 2, shown therein is a top view of the carrying case  18  for the present invention  10  with all its components stowed therein. The case  18  has a top  20  connected by hinges  22  to the case base. Shown is the knife handle  24 , a pair of spare blades  26 , a blade protector  28 , a 12-volt DC power cord  30 , a 110-V AC outlet power cord  32 , a charger  34 , a rechargeable power pac  36 , and a reenergizer unit  38 . 
     Turning to FIG. 3, shown therein is a side view of the present invention  10 . Shown is the handle  24  having a built-in rechargeable power pac  36  having a rechargeable battery release button  40 . Also shown are the interchargeable dual serrated blades  42  with knife trigger on/off switch  44 , switch button lock  46 , along with the light  48  and light on/off switch  50 . 
     Turning to FIG. 4, shown therein is an exploded view showing the separated components of the present invention  10 . Shown is the handle  24  having an end cap  52  thereon distal to the fillet blades  42  having a light  48  and detachable power pac  36 . Also shown is the reenergizer unit  38  which recharges the power pac  36  while not in use by keeping the fillet knife  10  plugged in. 
     Turning to FIG. 5, shown therein is a sectional view of the present invention  10  showing its internal floatation and water-sealing features. Shown is the handle  24  having multiple flotation chambers  54  therein with a high flotation end cap  52  attached using a watertight seal  56 . Also shown are the motor  58  with reciprocating arm  74  with power pac  36  connected by electrical plug means  60  and electrical wiring  62 . Also shown are a light  48  with switch  50  having a watertight seal  56  along with the trigger switch  44  with seal  56  and water resistant seal  64  on the front of handle  24 . The motor  58  and arm  74  have means  76  for attaching the blades  42 . 
     Turning to FIG. 6, shown therein is a side view of the present invention showing the handle  24 , interchangeable blades  42  being a 7-inch blade and a 9-inch blade and a blade protector  28 . Apertures  78  are shown for mating with means  76  (not shown, see FIG.  5 ). Also shown are attachment means  80  for connecting blades  42  together. 
     Turning to FIG. 7, shown therein is a perspective view of the carrying case  18  with handle  64  and snap latches  66  for the present  10  with all its components stowed therein. Shown are the knife handle  24 , with blades  42  and blade protector  28  align with 12 VDC cord  30 , 110-VAC cord  32 , removable power pac recharger  34 , spare rechargeable power pac, and reenergizer unit  38 . 
     Turning to FIG. 8, shown therein is a perspective view of the recharging unit  34  of the present invention with the rechargeable power pac  36  in position within the recharging unit for recharging. Shown are a full charge indicator light  68  and low charge indicator light  70  along with a power cord  30  and cord socket  72 . 
     Turning to FIG. 9, shown therein is a perspective view of the present invention  10  using the reenergizer unit  38  which is a separate recharger to keep operating under AC power while attaining and maintaining a fully charged power pac. 
     What is claimed to be new and desired to be protected by letters patent is set forth in the appended claims: