Double ended-retractable knife

• US 5,093,994 A
• Filed: 09/20/1990
• Issued: 03/10/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Christine Bringman
• Original Assignee: Christine Bringman
• Inventors: Karas, Nick J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Watts, Douglas D.
• Application Number:
  US07/585,662
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: 30/162, 30/163, 30/335, 30/336, 30/125
• US Class Current: 30/125
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 5/001 with blades being slid out of handle immediately prior to use

Abstract

A double-ended retractable knife having a blade carrier slidably mounted and selectively positionable longitudinally within a housing from a central stored position in either direction to an in-use position. The blade carrier securely positions a blade extending from each end thereof such that one of the blades selectively extends longitudinally from a blade opening at each end of the housing. The device preferably includes both a straight-edged and a hook-edged blade for added versatility and an interior storage compartment for holding extra blades.

Claims

1. A double-ended retractable knife comprising:

a rigid elongated housing having a blade opening at each end and a pair of spaced interior longitudinal guide rails;

an elongated blade carrier slidably mounted in said pair of guide rails and structured at each end to supportively receive and positively position a blade between longitudinally extending flanges of said blade carrier;

said blade carrier selectively longitudinally movable in said pair of guide rails between a central stored position and a first and second in-use position wherein one said blade extends through one said blade opening in said first in-use position and the other side blade extends through the other said blade opening in said second in-use position;

an extra blade storage cavity formed in the interior of said housing;

one said blade has a straight cutting edge while the other said blade has a hooked cutting edge for cutting rope, floor tile, and carpet.

2. A double-ended retractable knife as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said interior guide rails are in very close proximity to said blade carrier and said blades.

3. A double-ended retractable knife as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

said blade carrier extends to each end of said housing in said first and second in-use positions to fully support each said blade in use.

4. A double-ended retractable knife handle comprising:

a rigid elongated housing formed of two connectable mating halves about a vertical parting line and having a blade opening at each end thereof;

said mating halves interiorly forming an elongated "C"-shaped longitudinal channel through and terminating at each end of said housing;

a thin blade carrier having an elongated "C" shaped vertical cross section which slidably mates within said housing channel;

said blade carrier sized to positively position a blade at each end of said blade carrier between longitudinally extending flanges of said blade carrier such that each said blade is selectively longitudinally extendable in either direction through one or the other of said blade openings from a central stored position within said blade carrier;

a portion of the upper said flange detached at one end and upwardly curving to a release button at the free end of said detached flange portion, said release button passing through and extending outwardly from an elongated slot formed between said mating halves;

a plurality of detents formed into the interior of said housing adjacent to and extending along said slot which matably engage with said release button in an upwardly spring-biased position of said detached flange portion to releasably secure the longitudinal position of said blade carrier.

5. A double-ended retractable knife as set forth in claim 4, further comprising:

an extra blade storage cavity formed in the interior of said housing accessed by separation of said mating halves.

6. A double-ended retractable knife as set forth in claim 5, wherein:

one said blade has a straight cutting edge while the other said blade has a hooked cutting edge for cutting floor tile and carpet.

7. A double-ended retractable knife as set forth in claim 6, wherein:

said interior guide rails are in very close proximity to said blade carrier and said blades.

8. A double-ended retractable knife as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

each end of said blade carrier extends to the corresponding end of said housing when the corresponding said blade is extended from the corresponding said blade opening during use.

9. A double-ended retractable knife as set forth in claim 8, wherein:

said mating halves also interiorly forming mating longitudinally extending locator rails positioned outwardly adjacent said housing channel for precise positioning and retention of said mating halves one to another.