Patent ID: 7020969

Claim:
A straight knife comprising: a handle defining a blade channel defined along its longitudinal axis and having a pivot end and a base end, said blade channel opening outwardly each opposed along said pivot end and along both opposed handle sides; a blade configured to be received within said blade channel, said blade having opposed end sections integrally formed with a body section pivotably connected within said blade channel proximal of said pivot end of said handle; a pivot opening disposed in a center position of said blade body section; at least two engagement slots disposed respectfully through opposed sides of said blade proximal of said pivot opening; a pivot member releasably received through said blade pivot opening, said pivot member having opposed ends supported by opposed surfaces of said blade channel, said pivot member provides pivotable movement of said blade within said blade channel for exposure of either of said blades from said base end of said handle; and a locking member disposed within said blade channel proximal to said blade body section extending outwardly from opposing sides of said blade channel, said locking member having an engagement end biased to engage said at least two engagement slots in a locked position for said blade, said engagement end is manipulated by a user's digit for single-handedly disengaging said engagement end from said at least two engagement slots to an unlocked position for the user to single-handedly pivot said blade relative to said handle to extend either one of said opposed end sections from said handle wherein said locking member includes: a spring means having a first end attached to one interior handle surface of said first handle section and having a spring body extended to said engagement end disposed proximal of said blade body section; said engagement end having spaced-apart locking members extended therefrom, said locking members are laterally moved to insert within said at least two engagement slots in said locked position; and a release member extended from said engagement end, said release member having a manipulated end positioned to extend a sufficient distance from said blade channel for periodic manipulation by the user's digit for movement of said engagement end from said locked position to said unlocked position apart from said at least two engagement slots; whereby when said engagement end is in said unlocked position, said blade is single-handedly pivoted by the user for extending either one of said opposed end sections from said handle.