Patent ID: 7637015

Claim:
A utility knife system for cutting objects safely and effectively, said utility knife system comprising: an external handle having a hollow interior, an open end, and a substantially U-shaped configuration; an internal housing assembly having a base featuring support ridges, a sliding track adjacent said base, and at least one latching notch, said support ridges being adapted to support said external handle when in a closed position thereby allowing a portion of said internal housing assembly to be received within said external handle; a hinge for pivotally connecting said external handle with said base of said internal housing; and a retracting and latching assembly slidably receivable within said sliding track of said internal housing and being removably engagable with said at least one latching notch of said internal housing assembly, said retracting and latching assembly being adapted to removably retain a cutting blade; wherein said internal housing further comprising a first side wall extending up from said sliding track with said at least one latching notch adjacent to said first side wall; wherein said internal housing further comprising a top wall extending at a substantially right angle from a free end of said first side wall, a latching edge extending down from a free end of said top wall, said latching notch being located on said latching edge, and wherein said first side wall, said top wall, said latching edge, and said at least one latching notch being receivable within the interior of said external housing when said external housing is in a closed position and resting upon said support ridges of said base.