Safety cutter with triple locking slider

Abstract

A cutter apparatus includes a housing and a blade carrier. The housing includes a channel and openings adjacent to the channel at three different sides of the housing. The blade carrier is sized to fit within and slide along the channel, and includes three engaging portions that extend from the openings such that a force bearing upon any of the portions can cause the blade carrier to slide along the channel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/212602 entitled “Safety Cutter Handle” filed on Sep. 3, 2004.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates generally to cutters and, in particular, to a safety cutter with a triple locking slider mechanism.

BACKGROUND ART

A variety of cutting devices with retractable blades are known. However, many such devices include cumbersome mechanisms for extending a blade toward and/or retracting a blade from a cutting position. Additionally, cutting devices with retractable blades are often designed such that user intervention is required to retract the blade, thus resulting in a potential safety hazard. It would be useful to be able to provide a cutter which addresses one or more of the above concerns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example safety cutter with a triple locking slider mechanism;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the safety cutter of FIG. 1 shown operatively engaged with a clip holster,

FIGS. 3A and 3B are front and side views, respectively, of the clip holster of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional side views of the safety cutter of FIG. 1 shown in a blade forward position and in a blade retracted position, respectively;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are front and perspective views, respectively, the safety cutter of FIG. 1 shown in an opened position; and

FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective and side views, respectively, of a blade carrier of the safety cutter of FIG. 1.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 6A and 6B, an example cutter apparatus 100 includes a housing 102, a blade carrier 104, and a mechanism for biasing the blade carrier 104 toward a retracted position away from a distal end 105 of the housing. In this example embodiment, and referring also to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the blade carrier 104 is a “triple locking slider” which includes a top engaging portion 106, a left engaging portion 108, and a right engaging portion 110 formed as shown. The housing 102 includes a channel 112 and openings 114, 116 and 118 which are adjacent to the channel 112. In an example embodiment, the openings 114, 116 and 118 are approximately equidistant from the distal end 105 of the housing. The blade carrier 104 is sized to fit within and slide along the channel 112 with its top, left and right engaging portions 106, 108 and 110 extending from the openings 114, 116 and 118, respectively. In this example embodiment, the housing 102 and the blade carrier 104 are shaped such that a cutting force (represented by arrow 119) applied to the housing when the blade carrier is in an extended position causes a top edge 120 of the blade carrier to come into contact with the housing frictionally locking the blade carrier in the extended position until the cutting force is removed. More specifically, when a counterforce (represented by arrow 121) is applied to a blade which is secured to the blade carrier 104, the top edge 120 of the blade carrier is forced against the housing. Adjacent to the distal end 105 of the housing 102, a portion 122 of the channel 112 is complementary in shape to the top edge 120 of the blade carrier 104, which facilitates the friction locking described above.

In an example embodiment, a cutter apparatus includes a housing (e.g., sized to be hand-held) and a blade carrier. The housing includes a channel and openings adjacent to the channel at three different sides of the housing. The blade carrier is sized to fit within and slide along the channel, and includes three engaging portions that extend from the openings such that a force bearing upon any of the portions can cause the blade carrier to slide along the channel.

In the example embodiment described herein, the blade carrier 104 is configured to secure a blade 124 to the cutter apparatus 100 such that a cutting edge 126 of the blade faces a bottom side 128 of the housing, and the three engaging portions 106, 108 and 110 extend from a top side 130, a left side 132, and a right side 134 of the housing, respectively. One or more of the engaging portions 106, 108 and 110 can include a gripping surface (e.g., ridges) 136.

The blade carrier 104 can include one or more surfaces that are complementary to the blade 124. In the example embodiment described herein, the blade carrier 104 includes complementary surfaces 138, 140, 142, 144 and 146 which are formed as shown for preventing the blade 124 from sliding over the blade carrier. In this example embodiment, the blade carrier 104 also includes a tab member 148 under which the blade 124 is fitted. The tab member 148, in conjunction with rails 150 and 152 of the housing 102, prevents the blade 124 from falling away from the blade carrier 104 when the housing is assembled. In this example embodiment, the blade carrier 104 also includes a detent 154, and the mechanism for biasing the blade carrier 104 is a spring 156 which mechanically couples the blade carrier (at the detent 154) to a back portion 158 (e.g., a post) of the housing.

In an example embodiment, the housing 102 includes two housing portions 160 and 162 that are pivotally coupled together. By way of example, the housing portions 160 and 162 are formed with complementary end portions through which a pin 164 is inserted to effect a pivotal interconnection. In this example embodiment, the housing portion 162 includes an indented portion 166 sized to receive spare blades 168, and the housing portion 160 is provided with a spring 170 which is compressed between the housing portion 160 and an edge 172 of the indented portion 166.

The cutter apparatus 100 further includes a mechanism for securing the housing portions 160 and 162 together. In this example embodiment, the housing portion 162 includes a threaded channel 174, and the mechanism for securing includes a screw 176 with a threaded surface 178 complementary to the threaded channel 174. By way of example, the screw 176 includes a head 180 with a perimeter portion 182 that can be rotated by a user of the cutting apparatus, but which is also inset within a recess 183 formed in the housing portion 160. Thus, in this example, the screw 176 is fitted through an opening 184 in the housing portion 160 and rotated into the threaded channel 174 to secure the housing portions 160 and 162 together. When the screw 176 is loosened and removed, a force exerted by the spring 170 pushes the housing portions 160 and 162 apart slightly to make it easier for a user to pry open the cutter apparatus 100 (e.g., to replace a blade on the blade carrier 104). In this example embodiment, the threaded surface 178 is formed within a post member 186, which also serves as a stop for the blade carrier 104 when the blade carrier is pulled by the spring 156 to its retracted position. In this example embodiment, the housing portions 160 and 162 also include ridges outer surface portions 188.

In this example embodiment, the perimeter portion 182 of the screw 176 is shaped (with ridges) for gripping the screw. The head 180 of the screw 176 can be shaped to include an ornamental design. In this example embodiment, the design is that of a tire on a rim. It should be appreciated, however, that other designs and appearances for the securing mechanism can be used.

In an example embodiment, a cutter apparatus includes a housing with two hand-grip portions that are shaped to be interfitted together, and a blade carrier. The housing includes a channel and openings facing the channel at three different locations around the housing. The blade carrier is sized to fit within and slide along the channel, and includes three engaging portions that extend from the openings such that a sufficient force bearing upon any of the three engaging portions causes the blade carrier to slide along the channel.

In another example embodiment, a cutter apparatus includes a housing with two separable handle portions that define a channel within the housing, and a blade carrier. The housing includes openings facing the channel at top, left and right sides of the housing. The blade carrier is sized to fit within and slide along the channel, and includes three engaging portions that extend from the openings such that a sufficient force bearing upon any of the three engaging portions causes the blade carrier to slide along the channel.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B, in various embodiments, the cutter apparatus 100 further includes a clip holster 200 sized to receive the housing 102 therein. In this example embodiment, a flexible clamp 202 (e.g., made of metal) is sized and configured to “snap fit” about the housing 102. In this example embodiment, the clip holster 200 also includes a clip member 204 which is secured (e.g., riveted) to the flexible clamp 202. In this example embodiment, the clip member 204 is sized for securing to a belt or similar object.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of the example embodiments above, numerous modifications and/or additions to the above-described embodiments would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the scope of the present invention extend to all such modifications and/or additions.

Claims

1. A cutter apparatus, comprising:

a housing sized to be hand-held, the housing including a channel and openings adjacent to the channel at three different sides of the housing; and

a blade carrier sized to fit within and slide along the channel, the blade carrier including three engaging portions that extend from the openings such that a force bearing upon any of the portions can cause the blade carrier to slide along the channel.

2. The cutter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blade carrier is configured to secure a blade to the cutter apparatus such that a cutting edge of the blade faces a bottom side of the housing, and the three engaging portions extend from a top side, a left side, and a right side of the housing.

3. The cutter apparatus of claim 2, wherein the housing and the blade carrier are shaped such that a cutting force applied to the housing when the blade carrier is in an extended position causes a top edge of the blade carrier to come into contact with the housing to frictionally lock the blade carrier in the extended position until the cutting force is removed.

4. The cutter apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

means for biasing the blade carrier toward a retracted position away from a distal end of the housing.

5. The cutter apparatus of claim 4, wherein the means for biasing includes a spring.

6. The cutter apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more of the engaging portions include a gripping surface.

7. The cutter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gripping surface includes ridges.

8. The cutter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing includes an indented portion sized to receive spare blades.

9. The cutter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing includes two housing portions that are pivotally coupled together.

10. The cutter apparatus of claim 9, further including:

means for securing the two housing portions together.

11. The cutter apparatus of claim 10, wherein one of the two housing portions includes a threaded channel, and the means for securing includes a screw with a threaded surface complementary to the threaded channel, the screw including a head with a perimeter portion that can be rotated by a user of the cutting apparatus.

12. The cutter apparatus of claim 11, wherein the perimeter portion is shaped for gripping the screw.

13. The cutter apparatus of claim 11, wherein the head is shaped to include an ornamental design.

14. The cutter apparatus of claim 11, wherein the head is shaped as a tire on a rim.

15. The cutter apparatus of claim 11, wherein the head is shaped as a tire.

16. The cutter apparatus of claim 11, wherein the head is shaped as a rim for a tire.

17. The cutter apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

a clip holster sized to receive the housing therein.

18. A cutter apparatus, comprising:

a housing with two hand-grip portions that are shaped to be interfitted together, the housing including a channel and openings facing the channel at three different locations around the housing; and

a blade carrier sized to fit within and slide along the channel, the blade carrier including three engaging portions that extend from the openings such that a sufficient force bearing upon any of the three engaging portions causes the blade carrier to slide along the channel.

19. The cutter apparatus of claim 18, wherein the openings are approximately equidistant from a distal end of the housing.

20. The cutter apparatus of claim 18, wherein the blade carrier is configured to secure a blade to the cutter apparatus such that a cutting edge of the blade faces a bottom side of the housing, and the three different locations are a top side, a left side, and a right side of the housing.

21. The cutter apparatus of claim 20, wherein the housing and the blade carrier are shaped such that a cutting force applied to the housing when the blade carrier is in an extended position causes a top edge of the blade carrier to come into contact with the housing to frictionally lock the blade carrier in the extended position until the cutting force is removed.

22. The cutter apparatus of claim 18, wherein the cutting apparatus further comprises:

means for biasing the blade carrier toward a retracted position away from a distal end of the housing.

23. The cutter apparatus of claim 22, wherein the means for biasing includes a spring.

24. The cutter apparatus of claim 18, wherein one or more of the engaging portions include a gripping surface.

25. The cutter apparatus of claim 18, wherein the gripping surface includes ridges.

26. The cutter apparatus of claim 18, wherein the housing includes an indented portion sized to receive spare blades.

27. The cutter apparatus of claim 18, wherein the separable portions of the housing are pivotally coupled together.

28. The cutter apparatus of claim 27, further comprising:

means for securing the two hand-grip portions of the housing together.

29. The cutter apparatus of claim 28, wherein one of the hand-grip portions includes a threaded channel, and the means for securing includes a screw with a threaded surface complementary to the threaded channel, the screw including a head with a perimeter portion that can be rotated by a user of the cutting apparatus.

30. The cutter apparatus of claim 29, wherein the perimeter portion is shaped for gripping the screw.

31. The cutter apparatus of claim 29, wherein the head is shaped to include an ornamental design.

32. The cutter apparatus of claim 29, wherein the head is shaped as a tire on a rim.

33. The cutter apparatus of claim 29, wherein the head is shaped as a tire.

34. The cutter apparatus of claim 29, wherein the head is shaped as a rim for a tire.

35. The cutter apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:

a clip holster sized to receive the housing therein.

36. A cutter apparatus, comprising:

a housing with two separable handle portions that define a channel within the housing, the housing including openings facing the channel at top, left and right sides of the housing; and

a blade carrier sized to fit within and slide along the channel, the blade carrier including three engaging portions that extend from the openings such that a sufficient force bearing upon any of the three engaging portions causes the blade carrier to slide along the channel.

37. The cutter apparatus of claim 36, wherein the openings are approximately equidistant from a distal end of the housing.

38. The cutter apparatus of claim 36, wherein the blade carrier is configured to secure a blade to the cutter apparatus such that a cutting edge of the blade faces a bottom side of the housing.

39. The cutter apparatus of claim 38, wherein the housing and the blade carrier are shaped such that a cutting force applied to the housing when the blade carrier is in an extended position causes a top edge of the blade carrier to come into contact with the housing to frictionally lock the blade carrier in the extended position until the cutting force is removed.

40. The cutter apparatus of claim 36, further including:

means for biasing the blade carrier toward a retracted position away from a distal end of the housing.

41. The cutter apparatus of claim 40, wherein the means for biasing includes a spring.

42. The cutter apparatus of claim 36, wherein one or more of the engaging portions include a gripping surface.

43. The cutter apparatus of claim 36, wherein the gripping surface includes ridges.

44. The cutter apparatus of claim 36, wherein the housing includes an indented portion sized to receive spare blades.

45. The cutter apparatus of claim 36, wherein the two separable handle portions of the housing are pivotally coupled together.

46. The cutter apparatus of claim 45, further comprising:

means for securing the two separable handle portions of the housing together.

47. The cutter apparatus of claim 46, wherein one of the two separable handle portions includes a threaded channel, and the means for securing includes a screw with a threaded surface complementary to the threaded channel, the screw including a head with a perimeter portion that can be rotated by a user of the cutting apparatus.

48. The cutter apparatus of claim 47, wherein the perimeter portion is shaped for gripping the screw.

49. The cutter apparatus of claim 47, wherein the head is shaped to include an ornamental design.

50. The cutter apparatus of claim 47, wherein the head is shaped as a tire on a rim.

51. The cutter apparatus of claim 47, wherein the head is shaped as a tire.

52. The cutter apparatus of claim 47, wherein the head is shaped as a rim for a tire.

53. The cutter apparatus of claim 36, further comprising:

a clip holster sized to receive the housing therein.