Patent ID: 7346988

Claim:
A utility knife comprising: a first housing section of metal and a second housing section of metal, both with corresponding structures to align together to form a handle and to hold a blade in a cutting location between the first housing section and the second housing section; means for releasably engaging the first housing section and the second housing section in a closed position; a first soft cover member retained on an exterior portion of the first housing section and a second soft cover member retained on an exterior portion of the second housing section, said soft cover members being formed of an elastomeric material; a first port on said first housing section and a second port on said second housing section, said port on said first housing section being positioned adjacent to said first soft cover member, and said port on said second housing section being positioned adjacent to said second soft cover member; a first rivet extending from said first soft cover member through said first port to an interior formed by the first housing section and the second housing section, and a second rivet extending from said second soft cover member through said second port to said interior formed by the first housing section and the second housing section, wherein each of said rivets comprise a portion larger than said ports within said interior to retain said first soft cover member and said second soft cover to said first housing section and said second housing section, respectively; a first ledge at an internal edge of the first housing section and a second ledge at an internal edge of the second housing section, wherein said first soft cover member further comprises edge portions on said first ledge, and said second soft cover member further comprises edge portions on said second ledge; and a first tab on said first ledge and a second tab on said second ledge, wherein said edge portions of said first soft cover member and said second soft cover member encircle said tabs; wherein there is a close-fitting mechanical connection between said first and second soft cover members and said first and second housing sections, respectively.