Patent ID: 7596867

Claim:
A utility knife system for cutting objects safely and effectively, said utility knife system comprising: an external handle having a substantially U-shaped configuration, and a sliding track; a hinge located at one end of said external handle; a retractable sheath having a substantially U-shaped configuration, said retractable sheath being adapted to slide within said external handle along said sliding track; a retracting mechanism adapted to move said retractable sheath; an internal housing having a pair of support ridges extending out from the bottom thereof to produce a substantially T-shaped configuration, a pivot point attachable to said hinge, and a blade retention end opposite of said pivot point, said blade retention end being adapted to receive a cutting blade, said support ridges being adapted to support said U-shaped external handle when in a closed position thereby allowing said internal housing to be received within said retractable sheath and said external handle; and an arm having a rotatable attachment point adapted to rotatably connect said arm to said internal housing, and a wedge adapted to secure a cutting blade in said blade retention end when said arm is rotated down.