Patent Abstract:
The present invention relates to a Heavy Duty Utility knife with ergonomic finger and thumb positions in relation to an internal stabilizer pivot structure which includes a wheel for safer, stronger, smoother for more efficient cutting. The said invention also provides the user with an easy access, blade change and storage feature. This feature allows for proficiency of task, as well as, creating a safe knife with skid plate to prevent injury.

Full Description:
RELATION TO PRIOR APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This is a U.S. non-provisional application relating to and claiming the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/466,303 filed Apr. 29, 2003. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of Invention  
           [0003]    This Invention relates to a hand held multiple use utility knife structure with specific ergonomic features for your fingers and thumb, in relation to the stabilize pivot structure. The knife contains a blade storage area and facilitates a quick open blade exchange, creating a unique tool for almost every field of construction, trades and home use. The design of the said structure provides the user with multiple ways to grip the tool, apply different amounts of pressure, and create leverage. The primary objective of the present invention is to provide leverage thus creating a safer working tool to minimize potentially harmful situations in dangerous heavy and light duty tasks.  
           [0004]    2. Description of Prior Art  
           [0005]    Prior inventions do have rollers or multiple wheels attached to utility knives. Almost all Construction Trades use utility knives depending on the scope of different applications in different industries. An example of Heavy Duty use is the roofing trade in which knives are the base tool for cutting and scoring shingles. Due to the heavyweight material used considerable pressure is exerted in order to cut the material. Thus, the Utility Knife plays an important role in the construction industry.  
           [0006]    Innovation with design is needed to maintain safety and proficiency. The ineffective structure of traditional utility knives provides no support or stabilized pivot points with no way to create leverage thus creating a lack of precision cutting. In order to make a simple cut or score in a straight line traditional knives force the user to create leverage by straining the wrist or insure stability by straining the entire arm allowing for harmful situations.  
           [0007]    Beyond the traditional utility knives there are several types of trade specific cutting tools. For example: fabric, sewing fabrics, screen splining, and even exacting knives with no heavy duty or multi-use design. Generally these are useful tools when applied to their specific industry or duty application but may be harmful when applied to other industries where proper cutting tools may be necessary.  
           [0008]    In conclusion, I have found the need to create a knife with heavy duty, multi-use functions and design to assist in maintaining safety. The main goal asserted is in providing the roofing, sewing, flooring and any other construction industry (but not limited to these specifically) with a utility knife that maintains precision cutting in all heavy and light duty tasks.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0009]    The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a stabilizer pivot structure, consisting of an internally mounted stabilizer pivot roller wheel with a rear skid plate to create a safer, more efficient utility knife to grip and handle in completing all construction tasks.  
           [0010]    An additional objective of the present invention is to provide a Heavy Duty Multi use utility knife with ergonomic finger and thumb rests, pointer finger hub hole, stabilizer pivot structure with a spin opening, easy change blade and blade storage to create a safer, more efficient utility knife. By achieving these objectives a multi use tool of this kind will replace tools of inferior design.  
           [0011]    This efficient, effective tool with multiple features maximizes safety, precision and versatility, concluding that this tool is unique and superior in its design. Other prior art displays that inferior design tools do not have heavy duty construction with precision elements needed in the prior art embodiment to complete necessary tasks.  
           [0012]    In accordance with one form of this invention, there is provided a utility knife, including a housing, having a forward portion, a rear portion, and a middle portion. A cutting member is attached to the forward portion. The rear portion includes a grip for enabling a user to grasp the knife with a hand. A pivot wheel is attached to the middle portion. At least a part of the pivot wheel is received inside the housing so that the knife is stabilized during use. Preferably, the rear portion also includes a skid plate for protecting the user&#39;s hand. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a side view of present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is an exploded split internal view of present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a side movement view illustrating opening feature of present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4-1 is a bottom view of present invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4-2 is a side view of present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4-3 is an explode view of the opening mechanism.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is a split internal view of specific features of present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 shows one preferred embodiment of the present invention. A utility knife, in the form of housing  1 . 1 , with blade  1  at forward portion  1 . 2 , a stabilizer pivot wheel at middle portion  1 . 3  and on the bottom and a pointer finger hub hole  3  which you put your index finger through. Ergonomic finger rests or grip  29  at rear portion  1 . 4  and ergonomic finger rest  30  all create solid grip options for gripping. Knife housing first side  13  with female fastening nut for spin opener  9  along with knife housing second side  15  and spin opener engager for notch  22  creating a feature for quick blade change and storage called the spin opener. Protruding section  1 . 5  including skid plate  39  at rear of knife added with stabilizer pivot wheel  7  creating a safe way to keep your hand and knuckles from scraping the surface you&#39;re cutting. Including ergonomic side indentation  41  can help in additional multitask handling by putting thumb on one side and fingers on the other with ergonomic side indentation  42  to further make a complete knife.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 shows further features of the present invention. Blade holder  2  and steel plate for blade holder  6  with steel pins for blade holder  5  create a solid and secure area for holding a blade. Knife Housing  13 , Knife Housing  14  both sides have a pointer finger roller track  12  which the stabilizer pivot roller wheel  7 , in the shape of a ring having rim  1 . 6 , fits inside and the pointer finger hub wall  10  all create a stabilizer pivot structure. To open knife, engage spin opener button  11  opposite the side of the spin opener engager for notch  22  is located. Push knife housing  14  which slides along internal spin opener track  17  held together by female fastening nut or stud for spin opener  9  and male fastening screw for spin opener  16  through hole for nut and screw for spin opener track  18  which opens and exposes blade holder  2  creating an easy blade change and storage.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 to complete the explanation of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 shows the slide movement in  3  parts. The pointer finger hub hole  3  stays in its original position when knife housing  14  spins along internal curved spin opener track  17  held together with both parts of the female fastening nut for spin opener  9  when the spin opener button  11  is pushed to release the spin opener engager for notch  22  is raised out of locking notch for spin opener catch  23  the knife can be opened to create an easy blade exchange and blade storage  29 . This process leaves rear skid plate  39  attached to knife housing  13  comprising spin opener push button  11  which is found within knife housing  15  which is half of the rear skid plate  39 . To close knife simply close knife housing  14  together with knife housing  13  back to position  1  and push spin opener button  11  to reset spin opener engaging for notch  22  in locking notch for spin opener catch  23 .  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4-1 shows the bottom of knife with stabilize pivot wheel inside knife housing  13  and knife housing  14  to create the stabilize pivot structure. Screws for steel plate for blade holder  8  attach steel plate for blade holder  6  to the underneath of knife housing  13  to create a solid area for blade. Spin opener button  11  opposite knife housing protrudes knife housing  13  to engage spin opening.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4-2 shows how knife housing  15  is attached with upper fastening screw  20  and lower fastening screw  21  to knife housing  13  with spin opener button  11  shown.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4-3 shows the entire spin opener button  11  shown in FIG. 4-2 and FIG. 4-1 is exploded to show how spin opener button  11  mechanism is held together and what it&#39;s composed of. Spin opener screw  28  slides into spin opener push button block  26  through round leaf spring  27  all slide into spin opener push button block depression  24  inside knife housing  13  connecting through to spin opener engager for notch depression  19  with spin opener engager for notch  22  to slide into knife housing  15  to create spin opener button  11 . When spin opener screw  28  fastens to spin opener engager for notch  22  through all components and are combined, then spin opener button  11  comprising all components is pushed, round leaf spring  27  depresses, spin opener engager for notch  22  releases from locking notch for spin opener catch  23  on knife housing  14  to create easy opening, access to blade storage and easy blade exchange.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention with simple two screw feature fastening with front fastening screw  35  rear fastening screw  36  through front fastening hole  37  and refastening hole  38  fastening to knife housing  34  encasing stabilizer pivot roller wheel  7  in pointer finger roller truck  12  with pointer finger hub wall  10  with knife housing  13  creating a utility knife with stabilizer pivot structure and pointer finger hub hole  3  which index finger goes through. Along with ergonomic finger rests  29  ergonomic thumb rest  30  ergonomic thumb position  31  creating a simple fastening heavy duty multi-use utility knife with stabilizer pivot structure.  
         [0027]    The complete function of the present utility knife invention prevents strain while heavy cutting and scoring with multiple ergonomic features and unique point finger hub hole. Along with stabilizer pivot structure and rear skid plate create an incredibly safe design when cutting rough material. Unique spin opener, quick blade change and storage is a solid design for proficiency of task.  
         [0028]    While this form of apparatus herein explained constitutes preferred embodiment of this invention it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus and that changes may be made other without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the apparatus claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1