MULTI-TASKING UTILITY TOOL

• US 20130104314A1
• Filed: 12/18/2012
• Published: 05/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wagic, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Wagic, Inc.
• Inventors: Johnson, Ronald L., Ruiz, Idriss Mansouri-Chafik, Barcus, Skye David
• Granted Patent: US 8,997,357 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 7/160
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 11/00 Hand knives combined with other implements, e.g. with corkscrew, with scissors, with writing implement combined table-ware A47G21/06
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 11/008 comprising electronic or electrical features, e.g. illuminating means, computing devices or sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 5/001 with blades being slid out of handle immediately prior to use
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 5/003 comprising retraction means for the blade or the blade holder
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 9/00 Blades for hand knives

Abstract

A utility tool comprising a body having a first end and a second end positioned on opposite ends of the body; a removable device; as well as a first tool and a second tool configured to be selectively coupled to each other or one of either the first end and second end of the body.

Claims

1-24. -24. (canceled)

25. A removable blade cartridge in combination with a corresponding blade cartridge bay, the blade cartridge comprising:

a. a removable blade cartridge body having a recess slot within and a knife slot in communication with the recess slot;

b. a knife blade positionable within the recess slot and configured to slidably move between an open position and a closed position; and

c. a guide assembly coupled with the knife blade, wherein the guide assembly drives the knife blade between the closed position and the open position, wherein the knife blade is restricted from moving to the open position when the blade cartridge is outside of the blade cartridge bay, and wherein the knife blade is always biased towards a retracted position when the blade cartridge body is positioned within the blade cartridge bay.

26. The removable blade cartridge in combination with a corresponding blade cartridge bay of claim 25 further comprising an engaging mechanism which is engaged when the blade cartridge body is positioned within the blade cartridge bay and disengaged when the blade cartridge body is outside of the blade cartridge bay

27. The removable blade cartridge in combination with a corresponding blade cartridge bay of claim 25 further comprising a leaf member for engaging and disengaging the blade cartridge to the blade cartridge bay.

28. The removable blade cartridge in combination with a corresponding blade cartridge bay of claim 25 wherein the blade cartridge body further comprises:

a. a first blade member; and

b. a second blade member in communication and positioned substantially parallel to the first blade member, wherein the recess slot is located between the first blade member and the second blade member, the blade cartridge body including a thin film of material configured over the knife slot such that the knife blade pierces the thin film when moving initially from the closed position to the open position.

29. The removable blade cartridge in combination with a corresponding blade cartridge bay of claim 25 wherein the blade cartridge bay further comprises a guide spring, wherein the guide spring urges the knife blade to retract to a closed position.

30. The removable blade cartridge in combination with a corresponding blade cartridge bay of claim 25 wherein the knife blade is moveable between the closed position to the open position only when the blade cartridge is engaged within the blade cartridge bay.

31. The removable blade cartridge in combination with a corresponding blade cartridge bay of claim 30 further comprising a safety spring for applying a first force to the guide assembly when the blade cartridge is disengaged from the blade cartridge bay, wherein the knife blade is prevented from moving when the first force is applied to the guide assembly.

32. The removable blade cartridge in combination with a corresponding blade cartridge bay of claim 30 further comprising a thin rib coupled to the blade cartridge body for informing a user of prior use of the knife blade.

33. A removable blade cartridge in combination with a corresponding blade cartridge bay, the blade cartridge comprising:

a. a blade cartridge body having a recess slot within and a knife slot in communication with the recess slot, the removable blade cartridge body further comprising an engaging mechanism which is engaged when the blade cartridge body is positioned within the blade cartridge bay and disengaged when the blade cartridge body is outside of the blade cartridge bay;

b. a knife blade positionable within the recess and configured to slidably move between an open position and a closed position; and

c. a guide assembly coupled with the knife blade, wherein the guide assembly drives the knife blade between the closed position and the open position.

34. The removable blade cartridge in combination with a corresponding blade cartridge bay of claim 33 further comprising a leaf member for engaging and disengaging the blade cartridge to the blade cartridge bay.

35. The removable blade cartridge in combination with a corresponding blade cartridge bay of claim 33 wherein the blade cartridge body further comprises:

a. a first blade member; and

b. a second blade member in communication and positioned substantially parallel to the first blade member, wherein the recess slot is located between the first blade member and the second blade member, the blade cartridge body including a thin film of material configured over the knife slot such that the knife blade pierces the thin film when moving initially from the closed position to the open position.

36. The removable blade cartridge in combination with a corresponding blade cartridge bay of claim 33 wherein the blade cartridge bay further comprises a guide spring, wherein the guide spring urges the knife blade to retract to a closed position.

37. The removable blade cartridge in combination with a corresponding blade cartridge bay of claim 33 wherein the knife blade is moveable between the closed position to the open position only when the blade cartridge is engaged within the blade cartridge bay.

38. The removable blade cartridge in combination with a corresponding blade cartridge bay of claim 37 further comprising a safety spring for applying a first force to the guide assembly when the blade cartridge is disengaged from the blade cartridge bay, wherein the knife blade is prevented from moving when the first force is applied to the guide assembly.

39. The removable blade cartridge in combination with a corresponding blade cartridge bay of claim 33 wherein the guide assembly further comprises a knife switch coupled to the knife blade.

40. The removable blade cartridge in combination with a corresponding blade cartridge bay of claim 33 further comprising a thin rib coupled to the blade cartridge body for informing a user of prior use of the knife blade.

41. A utility tool having a removable blade cartridge which fits within a corresponding blade cartridge bay, the utility tool comprising:

a. a body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end are positioned on opposite ends of the body;

b. a cutting tool positioned within the body, wherein the cutting tool is configured to extend out from the first end;

c. a knife switch coupled to the cutting tool, wherein the cutting tool and the knife switch are removable, and wherein the knife switch allows the cutting tool to slidably move between an extended position and a retracted position; and

d. a cartridge unit coupled to the body, wherein the cartridge unit includes a first tool, and further wherein the cartridge unit is moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first tool extends out from the second end when the cartridge unit is in the first position.

42. The utility tool according to claim 41 further comprising a spring mechanism coupled to the knife switch for biasing the cutting tool to the retracted position.

43. The utility tool according to claim 41 wherein the cartridge unit further comprises a second tool which extends out from the second end when the cartridge unit is in the second position.

44. The utility tool according to claim 41 wherein the first tool is a writing instrument.

45. The utility tool according to claim 43 wherein the second tool is a measuring instrument.

46. The utility tool according to claim 45 wherein the measuring instrument is one of the group consisting of:

a retractable tape measure, level, compass and bar code scanner.

47. The utility tool according to claim 43 further comprising a container integrally formed within the utility tool, the container for housing a selective one of the first tool and the second tool.

48. The utility tool according to claim 41 wherein the body includes an integrally positioned track within which the cartridge unit is moveable.

49. The utility tool according to claim 43 wherein the second tool is an illuminating instrument.

50. A utility tool having a removable blade cartridge which fits within a corresponding blade cartridge bay, the utility tool comprising:

a. a body having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end are positioned on opposite ends of the body;

b. a removable blade cartridge positioned within the body, wherein a cutting tool within the removable blade cartridge is configured to slidably extend out from the first end; and

c. a first tool configured to be selectively coupled to both the first end and the second end of the body.

51. The utility tool according to claim 50 further comprising the cartridge unit having a third end and a fourth end, wherein the third end and the fourth end are configured opposite from one another, the cartridge unit rotatable about an axis, wherein the third end is positioned within the cutting tool when the fourth end is proximal to the first end, and further wherein the fourth end is positioned within the cutting tool when the third end is proximal to the first end.