Abstract:
A utility knife employing a blade having multiple cutting edges, and a means for quickly and simply swapping out one cutting edge for another. In a preferred embodiment, a six-cutting-edge featured blade is employed. Each point of the six-cutting-edge featured blade features two distinct cutting edges, for a total of six cutting edges located on a single blade. The blade can be rotated about a central axis to expose new cutting edges as old edges wear and dull. In another embodiment, a single-edged blade featuring two cutting faces is housed in a knife handle. The blade can be flipped when the first edge is dull or worn to expose a second cutting face. The handle may optionally include a storage space for storing additional blades.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/742,836, filed Aug. 20, 2012, and is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/199,206, filed Aug. 23, 2011, which claims priority in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/402,536, filed Sep. 1, 2010, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This application relates to utility knife blades, and more particularly, to unconventional utility knife blades with six defined individual cutting edges that allow the user to have available on one blade, six individual cutting edges that will be used with special designed utility knives. 
         [0004]    2. Background and Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Conventional disposable utility blades are well known in the art. These blades, along with their knives, have many industrial as well as home uses, such as for opening boxes, cutting cord or cutting wallboard. Typical utility blades are encased in a plastic or metal handle in either a fixed or retractable position. When in use, the blade is positioned to extend outwardly from the handle, exposing the cutting edge and one of the cutting points of the blade. 
         [0006]    Utility knife blades come in a variety of shapes depending upon the intended use. A conventional utility blade has a generally trapezoidal shape that includes a back edge, a cutting edge and two side edges. The trapezoidal shaped blades have two cutting edges or tips formed at the intersections between the side edges and the cutting edge. These sharp points or tips enable a user to puncture through a material which is desired to be cut, such as sealing tape or the cardboard box. Once the object has been punctured and penetrated, the user can slice open the material by dragging the knife along the surface of the material allowing the cutting edge to cut through the material. 
         [0007]    Existing prior art includes U.S. Pat. Nos.: 7,921,568; 5,557,852; 2,542,582; 4,592,113; 3,037,342; 5,636,845; and 4,745,653. 
         [0008]    Although trapezoidal-shaped utility blades are widely used, they have only two usable cutting edges. They have the disadvantage that when the two edges get dull, the blade has to be replaced. The two-edged blade, therefore, requires more frequent replacement after the two cutting edges are worn out. 
         [0009]    Break-off style blades with a multitude of cutting edges are not well suited for many applications and there is a greater safety or injury risk due to potential snap-off during usage when side loads are applied. 
         [0010]    There is a need for an improved utility knife blade that overcomes one or more of the above-described drawbacks and/or disadvantages of conventional prior art utility knife blades. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention provides a utility knife employing a blade having multiple cutting edges, and a means for quickly and simply swapping out one cutting edge for another. 
         [0012]    In a preferred embodiment, six-cutting-edge featured blade is employed. Each point of the generally triangular-shaped, six-cutting-edge featured blade features two distinct cutting edges, for a total of six cutting edges located on a single blade. The blade can be rotated about a central axis to expose new cutting edges as old edges wear and dull. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, a single-edged blade featuring two cutting faces is housed in a knife handle. The blade can be flipped when the first edge is dull or worn to expose a second cutting face. The handle may optionally include a storage space for storing additional blades. 
         [0014]    Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent in view of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is an exploded isometric view of an embodiment of the present invention featuring a blade having six cutting faces. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a blade holder element of said embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view thereof. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view thereof. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view thereof. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a locking pin button element of said embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational view thereof. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a rear elevational view thereof 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of a right hand half of a knife handle element of said embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a rear elevational view thereof 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a side elevational view thereof. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is an isometric view thereof. 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a top plan view of a left hand half of a knife handle element of said embodiment. 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a rear elevational view thereof 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a side elevational view thereof. 
           [0030]      FIG. 16  is an isometric view thereof. 
           [0031]      FIG. 17A  is a side elevational view of a knife embodying said invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 17B  is a front elevational view thereof 
           [0033]      FIG. 18A  is an isometric view of a three-sided blade. 
           [0034]      FIG. 18B  is a front elevational view thereof 
           [0035]      FIG. 18C  is a rear elevational view thereof, showing the blade edges located on the front face in hidden lines. 
           [0036]      FIG. 18D  is an isometric view of a three-sided blade of an alternative configuration. 
           [0037]      FIG. 18E  is a front elevational view thereof. 
           [0038]      FIG. 18F  is a rear elevational view thereof 
           [0039]      FIG. 18G  is a side elevational view of a three-sided blade being fitted into a simplified knife handle and blade receiver head. 
           [0040]      FIG. 18H  is a second step in a series thereof. 
           [0041]      FIG. 181  is a third step in a series thereof. 
           [0042]      FIG. 18J  is a top plan view thereof. 
           [0043]      FIG. 18K  is an isometric view of a three-sided blade of an alternative configuration. 
           [0044]      FIG. 18L  is a front elevational view thereof. 
           [0045]      FIG. 18M  is a rear elevational view thereof 
           [0046]      FIG. 19  is an exploded isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention featuring a single-edged blade having two cutting faces. 
           [0047]      FIG. 20  is a top plan view of a blade holder element of said alternative embodiment. 
           [0048]      FIG. 21  is a front elevational view thereof. 
           [0049]      FIG. 22  is a side elevational view thereof. 
           [0050]      FIG. 23  is a rear elevational view thereof 
           [0051]      FIG. 24  is an isometric view thereof. 
           [0052]      FIG. 25  is an alternative isometric view thereof. 
           [0053]      FIG. 26  is a rear elevational view of a locking pin button element of said alternative embodiment. 
           [0054]      FIG. 27  is a side elevational view thereof 
           [0055]      FIG. 28  is an isometric view thereof. 
           [0056]      FIG. 29  is a top plan view of a blade magazine clip element for said alternative embodiment. 
           [0057]      FIG. 30  is a side elevational view thereof. 
           [0058]      FIG. 31  is a front elevational view thereof. 
           [0059]      FIG. 32  is an isometric view thereof. 
           [0060]      FIG. 33  is a side elevational view of a knife embodying said alternative embodiment, shown in a disassembled position. 
           [0061]      FIG. 34  is a side elevational view of a knife embodying said alternative embodiment, shown in partially assembled position having both a first blade and a second blade in position. 
           [0062]      FIG. 35  is a side elevational view of a knife embodying said alternative embodiment, shown in an assembled position with the blade holder element rotating into position. 
           [0063]      FIG. 36  is an isometric view of a knife embodying said alternative embodiment completely assembled. 
           [0064]      FIG. 37  is an alternative isometric view thereof. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     I. Introduction and Environment 
       [0065]    As required, detailed aspects of the disclosed subject matter are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
         [0066]    Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, base, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as oriented in the view being referred to. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the embodiment being described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning 
         [0067]    A preferred embodiment features a knife blade body capable of allowing a knife blade to rotate or turn, thereby exposing additional cutting surfaces for use. 
       II. Preferred Embodiment Utility Knife Apparatus  1   
       [0068]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-18 , a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a knife handle comprising a right portion  40  and a left portion  60 , a six-cutting-edge featured knife blade  70 , a blade receiving head  50  for holding the blade in place, and a locking button pin  32  for locking the blade  70  into the blade receiving head  50 . A number of securing or mounting bolts  2  are used to join the various elements together, including joining the right handle portion  40  to the left handle portion  60  through a variety of mounting bolt holes  6 . A pivot bolt  3  inserted through a pivot bolt hole  18  of the handle portions pivotally mounts the blade receiving head  50  to the handle. 
         [0069]    Each handle portion  40 ,  60  includes a recess  22  for providing grip control when using the knife. A hook area  12  is located along the top edge of each handle portion, the hook area including a locking notch  16  which engages with the latching catch  34  located on the blade receiving head  50 , thereby locking the head in place between the two handle portions. The handle portions also include a knife hanging hole  24  which would allow a string or other structure to be looped through the hole for easy storage or transport of the assembled knife  1 . Each handle portion  40 ,  60  includes a recess  54  for receiving the blade receiving head  50 , and a recess  56  for receiving the flexible finger grip  28  which allows for the release of the latching catch  34 , which thereby allows the receiving head  50  to pivot about the pivot bolt  3 . 
         [0070]    The blade receiving head  50  also includes a pivot hole  44  for receiving the pivot bolt  3  after passing through the right handle portion  40  pivot hole  18 . This pivotally engages the blade receiving head with the handle portions. The blade  70  is inserted into a blade slot  42  located in the blade receiving head  50 . The locking button pin  32  locks the blade in place within a recess area  47  located on the blade receiving head by inserting the button  33  through the blade retaining hole  48  located in the blade, and the blade retaining hole  38  located in the opposite side of the blade retaining head  50 . To switch which blade edge is active, the blade can be removed, flipped and turned, and reinserted to present a new blade. The locking button pin  32  is further secured in place to the blade receiving head by a pair of pegs  35  located on the top face of the blade receiving head. 
         [0071]    The blade receiving head  50  also includes a flex area  36  which allows inward movement of a finger squeeze grip element  28  which ultimately releases the latch catch  34  from the knife handle portions  40 ,  60  when the knife is assembled, thereby allowing the head to rotate away from the handle such that the blade can be turned or flipped, thereby presenting a new cutting edge. 
         [0072]      FIGS. 18A-18M  provide more detail on how the three-sided blade plays a role in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 18A-C  show how the knife blade previously described presents six cutting edges, and how each edge can be presented from the knife handle by flipping or turning the blade within the blade retaining head. Each cutting edge is labeled by an edge label  90 . A blade cutting edge indicator  91  distinguishes the cutting edge from the body of the blade.  FIG. 18C  shows the gap  51  located between two separate cutting edges  46 . The gap can be a flat space, a notch, or it could be a continuous cutting edge. The purpose of the gap  51  is to designate between two separate cutting edges.  FIGS. 18D-F  show an alternative arrangement of the three-sided blade which includes a secondary ring of mounting holes  41  which provides additional stability to a blade secured by those holes in addition to the blade retaining hole  48 .  FIGS. 18G-J  show how the cutting edge labeled “1” is presented initially when the blade is received by the blade receiving head  50 .  FIGS. 18K-M  provide even more options for how the cutting edges of the three-sided blade may be presented. 
       III. Alternative Embodiment Utility Knife Apparatus  101   
       [0073]    As shown in  FIGS. 19-37 , an alternative embodiment of the present invention includes a knife handle comprising a right portion  140  and a left portion  160 , a knife blade  170  having a single cutting edge  104 , a blade receiving head  150  for holding the blade in place, and a locking button pin  132  for locking the blade  170  into the blade receiving head  150 . A number of securing or mounting bolts  102  are used to join the various elements together, including joining the right handle portion  140  to the left handle portion  160  through a variety of mounting bolt holes  106 . A pivot bolt  103  inserted through a pivot bolt hole  118  of the handle portions pivotally mounts the blade receiving head  150  to the handle. 
         [0074]    Each handle portion  140 ,  160  includes a recess  122  for providing grip control when using the knife. A hook area  112  is located along the top edge of each handle portion, the hook area including a locking notch  116  which engages with the latching catch  134  located on the blade receiving head  150 , thereby locking the head in place between the two handle portions. The handle portions also include a knife hanging hole  124  which would allow a string or other structure to be looped through the hole for easy storage or transport of the assembled knife  101 . Each handle portion  140 ,  160  includes a recess  154  for receiving the blade mounting head  150 , and a recess  156  for receiving the flexible finger grip  128  which allows for the release of the latching catch  134 , which thereby allows the receiving head  150  to pivot about the pivot bolt  103 . 
         [0075]    The blade receiving head  150  also includes a pivot hole  144  for receiving the pivot bolt  103  after passing through the right handle portion  140  pivot hole  118 . This pivotally engages the blade receiving head with the handle portions. The blade  170  is inserted into a blade slot  142  located in the blade receiving head  150 . The locking button pin  132  locks the blade in place by inserting the button  133  through the blade retaining hole  105  located in the blade, and the blade retaining hole  139  located in the opposite side of the blade retaining head  150 . To switch which blade edge is active, the blade can be removed, flipped and turned, and reinserted to present a new blade. The locking button pin  132  is further secured in place to the blade receiving head by a pair of pegs  135  located on the top face of the blade receiving head. A blade positioning pin  137  ensures the blade is accurately lined up within the blade receiving head  150 . 
         [0076]    Similar to the previous embodiment, a hook area  112  is located along the top edge of each handle portion, the hook area including a locking notch  116  which engages with the latching catch  134  located on the blade receiving head  150 , thereby locking the head in place between the two handle portions. The blade receiving head  150  also includes a flex area  136  which allows inward movement of a finger squeeze grip element  128  which ultimately releases the latching catch  134  from the knife handle portions  140 ,  160  when the knife is assembled, thereby allowing the head to rotate away from the handle such that the blade can be turned or flipped, thereby presenting a new cutting edge. 
         [0077]    The alternative embodiment knife  101  also includes a magazine clip  110  for holding a spare blade  171  within the blade handle portions  140 ,  160 . This element is shown in more detail in  FIGS. 29-32 . The clip  110  includes a pair of flex finger grips  166  for squeezing the two halves of the clip together, which releases the latch lock  168  from a latch lock receiver  145 . When the magazine clip  110  is fully inserted into a slide and containment area  164  located internally within the knife case, the clip is held in place by the latch locks  168  seated in the latch lock receivers  145 . The forward section of the magazine clip  110  flexes, allowing the finger grips  166  to be squeezed inwardly, thus releasing the latch locks  168 . The clip can then be pulled from the knife which exposes spare blades  171  for replacing the original blade  170 . The magazine clip further includes two movement control pins  172  which permits movement of the clip while the clip is stored within the handle, while ensuring that the clip remains within the handle. The control pins  172  do allow the magazine  110  to be withdrawn from the handle portions  140 ,  160  far enough to remove a replacement blade, but the magazine is not allowed to be completely removed. When rotating the blade retaining head  150  to the closed position as shown in  FIG. 35 , the magazine  110  automatically snaps into a locked position. 
         [0078]    Note also that the blade  170  can be flipped to expose a second cutting face along the same single cutting edge  104 . 
         [0079]    It is to be understood that while certain aspects of the disclosed subject matter have been shown and described, the disclosed subject matter is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.