Abstract: A knife 10 comprises a blade holder 12, a blade 24 attached to the holder, and a protective member for the blade. Bias means 54 biasses the protective member into a first position in which protective edges 46, 48 thereof protrude beyond the blade cutting edge, so that the protective member covers the cutting edge. The protective member is movable against the biassing force exerted by the bias means, from the first position to a second position in which the cutting edge is exposed for use. First locking means locking the protective member in its first position, are also provided. The first locking means are adapted to release automatically the protective member on the protective edge of the protective member being placed against a surface to be cut and force being exerted on the blade in the direction of said surface.

Abstract: A scraper having a body portion with a front edge and a cover portion slidable relative to the body portion. The blade is received in the body portion with its cutting edge extending beyond the front edge of the body portion. The cover portion is movable relative to the body portion from a retracted position exposing the blade cutting edge to an extended position overlying the blade cutting edge. The cover portion is held in its retracted and/or its extended positions by locking mechanisms on the cover portion and on the body portion which cooperate with each other to hold the cover in its retracted and/or extended positions.

Abstract: For protection of the otherwise sharp protruding end of a given instrument for use in ophthalmic or other surgery, as when the instrument is to be used only after it has traversed the major part of a scleral tunnel, a shiftable guard or shield is manipulable after it has served its function of avoiding damage to hemorrhageable tissues adjacent tunnel-wall tissue, thereby exposing the sharp end only after safely passing the hemorrhageable region. Various embodiments are described.

Abstract: A scalpel including an elongated handle having an engaging surface located on the handle, a blade carried by the handle adjacent one end thereof and a guard movably mounted to the handle for sliding movement relative to the handle between a protective position covering the blade and a retracted position exposing the blade for use. The guard includes side members extending downwardly from an upper surface. The side members are positioned adjacent opposite sides of the handle and the resiliency of the guard forces the inner surfaces of the side members into engagement with the engaging surface of the handle. The guard is movably along the engaging surface in response to sliding movement of the guard relative to the handle. In a further form, the guard is slidable into a permanently locked position relative to the handle, thereby preventing reuse of the scalpel and inadvertent exposure of the blade.

Abstract: A scissors including a first handle assembly and a second handle assembly pivotally interconnected for movement between open and closed positions. A latch mounted on one of the handle assemblies for movement into engagement with the other of the handle assemblies on closing the scissors, the latch being movable on one handle assembly into engagement with the other handle assembly to lock the handles in a closed position and a reversible sheath operatively engaging the handle assemblies to enclose the scissor blades on the handle assemblies.

Abstract: A surgical scalpel (10) is provided with a retractable guard (11) for its cutting blade (12). The guard (11) is mounted on the handle (24) of the scalpel (10) for sliding movement between an advanced position in which the blade (12) is covered and a retracted position in which the blade (12) is exposed. The guard (11) may be moved with one hand, and the surgeon, nurse and/or assistant does not have to take his or her eyes away from the patient or the instrumentation during a surgical procedure. A two-position resiliently-biased manually-releasable detent member (29), is disposed within the longitudinal center plane (30) of the handle (24) and extends above the handle (24). A cut-out (49) on the bottom wall (15) of the guard (11), together with the detent member (29), facilitates the one-hand actuation of the guard (11). A slot (25) on the guard (11) and a pin (26) or the handle (24), limits the sliding movement of the guard (11) independently of the detent action. Two embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Accidental dislodgment of a knife from its sheath is prevented by a pivotal tang having one end engageable with a recess in the knife handle and a second end for pressing by a user to release the first end, and a slidable latch for preventing unintentional actuation of the tang.

Abstract: A surgical knife having a body with a blade at one end is provided that has an attached, movable shield that can be moved between either one of two locked positions. The shield can be placed in one position in which it covers and protects the blade and in a second position where it forms a portion of the body for use of the knife.

Abstract: The surgical instrument guard described herein comprises a shield which fits over the blade of a scalpel and prevents accidental contact or "sticks" with the blade when not in surgical use. In one modification pressure of the surgeon's thumb or finger lifts the shield away from the blade so that the blade may be used in surgery. When the pressure is released, the shield returns to its protective position. In another modification the position of the blade is controlled by a peg or short bar extending into a slot in the side of a protective shield. The shield may be moved forward or backward as far as the slot can move with respect to the peg. When the shield is in the forward position, the shield covers the blade and protects against accidental "sticks". When the shield is moved backward, the blade is exposed and is available for surgical use.

Abstract: A surgical scalpel is provided with a retractable guard for its cutting blade. The scalpel includes a resiliently-biased locking means and a releasing mechanism for, alternatively, selectively locking the guard in an extended position for covering the blade and in a retracted position for exposing the blade. The guard is disposed on the body of the scalpel for sliding movement between its extended and retracted positions--with the use of only one hand--and without requiring the surgeon, nurse and/or assistant to take his or her eyes away from the patient. The locking mechanism produces a auditory sensory warning to signal to the user thereof that the guard is locked into either its extended or retracted position, without the necessity of visually observing the scalpel, and the locking and releasing mechanisms may be tactually located by the user and activated without visually observing the scalpel.

Abstract: A lockable knife and block assembly having a knife block having a plurality of slots for housing a plurality of knife blades. Each knife blade is provided with a notch for engaging a spring-loaded locking and latching means located at the top and front of each slot. A spring-loaded biasing means is positioned at the bottom and front of each slot to bias a blade entering a respective slot toward the spring loaded latching means. A push button release mechanism is attached to each locking and latching means for disengaging a knife blade latched thereto.

Abstract: For protection of the otherwise sharp protruding end of a given instrument for use in ophthalmic or other surgery, as when the instrument is to be used only after it has traversed the major part of a scleral tunnel, a shiftable guard or shield is manipulable after it has served its function of avoiding damage to hemorrhageable tissues adjacent tunnel-wall tissue, thereby exposing the sharp end only after safely passing the hemorrhageable region. Various embodiments are described.

Abstract: A belt buckle having a sliding groove on the top edge thereof for mounting a small cutting tool and a stub rod upstanding from said sliding groove at the middle adjacent to the front entrance thereof to guide said cutting tool into said sliding groove and simultaneously to disconnect the blade of said cutting tool from the handle thereof permitting said handle to be moved into said sliding groove so as to receive said blade, and a locating means to retain said cutting tool in place.

Abstract: A thermoplastic molded sheath for a knife grips the knife tightly to prevent accidental loss or withdrawal. The security of such grip is sufficient to enable the knife to be carried in the sheath in an inverted position upon the body of the wearer. The sheath is made by thermoforming a rigid yet resilient thermoplastic about a knife blade having the exact dimensions of the blade which is to be carried within the sheath. The thermoformed sheath may be attached at its bottom to a pocket-sized semirigid pocket-retaining clip, which clip, when inserted into a pocket, supports the sheath in an inverted position with the blade of the knife extending upwardly and the hilt of the knife in a convenient position for drawing from the sheath. The combination of the orientation of the sheath and the pocket retaining clip places a minimum stress upon a pocket and is comfortable to wear.

Abstract: A scalpel includes a blade carrier and blade shield equally movable but in opposite longitudinal directions in response to longitudinal movement of an actuator along the upper edge of the scalpel housing. Equal and opposite motion is achieved using a pinion disposed in the housing and engaged on opposite diametric sides by racks secured to the blade shield and blade carrier. The actuator is compressible to remove stop members secured thereto from respective recesses, thereby permitting movement of the blade carrier and blade shield from defined extreme positions.

Abstract: A surgical scalpel having a replacable, retractable cutting blade which may be locked in the operating or deployed position using a single digit on one hand is described. Safety of hospital personnel and medical waste disposal personnel is achieved without loss of function or convenience of the scalpel.

Abstract: A knife and sheath combination including a pivotable mount, whereby, the sheath when empty hangs from the belt with its knife opening facing upward, however, when the knife is inserted into the sheath, the weight of the knife handle causes the sheath to revolve on its mount to a position wherein the knife opening faces downward. This arrangement allows the user to quick-draw the knife with a downward motion but may re-sheath the knife from the top position.

Abstract: A knife and sheath with a locking mechanism. The knife has a blade with a tang and a handle with a channel to receive the tang. Holes in the tang and the handle align to receive a threaded post which also secures the stud of a snap fastener to the front of the handle. The sheath has a blade-enclosing section and a pouch section that encloses and frictionally holds a portion of the handle. The pouch has two arms that encircle that portion from front to rear. The pouch section carries the socket of the snap fastener, preferably on a longitudinal section on the front of the sheath, so that the knife may be secured in the sheath by simply snapping the socket to the stud, and be released by unsnapping.

Abstract: A one piece molded sheath for fixed blade knives having a blade portion and a contoured handle portion including a forefinger groove separated from the blade portion by a handle ridge. The sheath of the invention is comprised of a blade-contoured sheath pocket for receiving the blade portion and adjacent handle ridge of such knives. The molded sheath pocket has an elongated back wall, a shorter front wall and a pair of side walls interconnecting the front wall to the back wall. The back wall of the sheath pocket in its upper portion has molded-in belt loops for attaching the sheath to the belt of the wearer. A slot in the upper end of each of the side walls of the sheath pocket permit the forward and rearward flexing of the upper portion of the front wall with respect to the back wall by the handle ridge of such knives during insertion thereof into the sheath pocket and withdrawal thereof from such pocket.

Abstract: A knife and sheath combination having an interlock formed of a tab to carry an inwardly extending dog that is mounted on a laterally flexible stem to the sheath. The dog may be moved laterally to and from an interfering engagement with a stop carried on the handle of the knife.

Abstract: A scalpel is provided with a blade guard which is mounted for movement between a blade-guarded position and a blade-exposed position and an actuating mechanism for the blade guard is positioned in such a way that the fingers of the surgeon automatically engage the mechanism when the scalpel is held in its normal position of use. The actuating mechanism is coupled to the blade guard through a linkage assembly which causes the blade guard to move over a substantially greater distance than the distance which the surgeon's fingers move in operating the actuating mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the blade guard slides over a linear path, the actuating mechanism comprises a tongue-like structure integral with the scalpel, and the linkage assembly comprises a plurality of pivotally interconnected lever arms. One of the lever arms is positioned so as to be captured in a detent mechanism when the blade guard is fully retracted to its blade-exposed position.

Abstract: A sheath knife handle includes an arm member offset from the main portion of the handle and attached to the handle by a flexible segment to permit arm member displacement by pressing with a finger. The arm member includes a latch component which upon inward arm member movement disengages a knife sheath to permit removal of the knife. The knife handle may be equipped with dual arm members to provide a double locking arrangement operable by a gripping action of the thumb and index finger. The arm member additionally defines a recess in which is received the upper edge of the knife sheath.

Abstract: A sheath for a knife having a blade and a handle, the handle having a guard with a first and an opposing second portion. The sheath comprises a body with a cavity to receive the knife blade and a recess with one side forming a ramp to receive the first portion of the knife guard. The second portion of the knife guard is outside the sheath. A spring carried by the sheath engages the second portion of the guard and biases the guard so that the first portion of the guard is retained but not locked in the recess. To release the blade from the sheath, the thumb of the user presses against a lobe formed in the end of the spring to remove pressure on the second portion of the guard, allowing the first portion of the guard to be moved up the ramp side of the recess and out of the sheath, or, alternatively, the handle may be pulled with sufficient force to overcome the bias of the spring and draw the first portion of the guard up the ramp and thus the blade from the sheath.

Abstract: A scalpel is provided with a blade guard which is mounted for movement between a blade-guarded position and a blade-exposed position and an actuating mechanism for the blade guard is positioned in such a way that the fingers of the surgeon automatically engage the mechanism when the scalpel is held in its normal position of use. The actuating mechanism is coupled to the blade guard through a linkage assembly which causes the blade guard to move over a substantially greater distance than the distance which the surgeon's fingers move in operating the actuating mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the blade guard slides over a linear path, the actuating mechanism comprises a tongue-like structure integral with the scalpel, and the linkage assembly comprises a plurality of pivotally interconnected lever arms. One of the lever arms is positioned so as to be captured in a detent mechanism when the blade guard is fully retracted to its blade-exposed position.

Abstract: A knife and sheath combination having an interlock formed of a tab to carry an inwardly extending dog that is mounted on a laterally flexible stem to the sheath. The dog may be moved laterally to and from an interferring engagement with a stop carried on the handle of the knife.

Abstract: A folding knife has a blade that pivots so that the cutting edge may be protected within the handle or extended for use. The blade has an extended tang which may be locked into the handle when the cutting edge is extended. The knife can be disassembled without tools for cleaning.

Abstract: A utility knife especially suitable for use by either right-handed or left-handed persons includes a generally symmetrical casing, as viewed from the side, having a generally pointed leading edge and two surfaces sloping back at equal angles from the point. When a standard razor-like blade is positioned in the knife, the midpoint of the blade between its sharpened cutting edge and non-sharpened opposite edge, lies on an imaginary line extending from the point at the forward end of the casing and generally through the center of the knife. The blade may be positioned with its cutting edge being on one side or the other side of the imaginary centerline. In either position, the cutting edge of the blade will project similarly from the casing when a thumb piece is pushed toward the forward end.

Abstract: A knife and sheath combination in which the sheath may be attached in and inverted position on a harness strap such as a shoulder holster or backpack strap by screws and the knife held in the sheath with a quick release. The sheath may also be attached to clothing by use of VELCRO and may also have a safety strap to keep the knife in the sheath, along with a striker affixed to the sheath.

Abstract: A tool and sheath combination in which the tool is securely engaged in the sheath. A release bar having a tip and a distal end is coupled to the sheath. The tool has at least one recess for accepting the tip of the release bar when the tool is fully inserted in the sheath. A flexible element coupled to the release bar biases the release bar to engage the recess when the tool is fully inserted in the sheath and a fulcrum located between the tip and the distal end of the release bar permits rotation of the release bar for disengagement from the recess under finger pressure applied to the distal end. A second surface along the tip and angled obliquely relative to the edge of the recess may continue to engage this edge after the biasing element is overcome by hand pressure to retain the tool in the sheath. This second surface, however, may be overcome by applying force to pull the tool out of the sheath.

Abstract: A molded plastic sheath that fits over a knife blade, relieved on one side with slots so as to nearly detach a portion of the sheath to form a locking lever with a pin at one end that engages a hole in the knife blade. Pressing the opposite end of the lever rocks the lever on the blade and withdraws the pin from the hole permitting separation of the knife and sheath.

Abstract: An emergency scissors for cutting through a jammed seat belt of a motor vehicle is provided in which the blades are blunt tipped to avoid injury to the eyes. The emergency scissors can be carried in a storage sheath that is attached to a dashboard of the motor vehicle. The emergency scissors can also be connected by an L-shaped bracket to a seat belt buckle and be in position to immediately cut through the jammed seat belt after a collision.

Abstract: A knife for cutting honeycomb core and other materials with a combination of safety features to prevent or minimize injury to operator. The blade used has a hole through which a fastening device e.g. threaded screw, locks it to a handgrip. A safety guard covers the blade when not in use and automatically retracts as the blade is removed from the workpiece. The guard cannot be accidently displaced from the blade. It must be purposely unlocked by a manually triggered self-locking release assembly located in the handgrip which also automatically relocks the safety guard when retracted. The safety features consist of an automatically retractable guard attached to a safety handshield working in conjunction with the safety self-locking release assembly to prevent accidental release.

Abstract: The present invention includes a knife and sheath assembly, the knife having a blade and a hilt with a guard, the sheath having a closed portion adapted to receive the blade and an open portion adapted to abut the hilt and guard. A bolt and a spring are slidably contained within a channel in the sheath. A portion of the bolt protrudes outwards from the channel and engages the side of the guard. The open portion of the sheath has a guide with a curved portion that causes the hilt of a knife being inserted to engage the bolt and move it from the locking position to the unlocking position until the knife is inserted far enough. Then a stepped portion of the guide causes the hilt to seat against the sheath and to disengage the bolt which slides to the locking position, thus preventing removal of the knife from the sheath by the cooperation of the sheath and the bolt. Pushing the bolt away into the channel releases the knife.

Abstract: A butterfly knife scabbard including a housing incorporating an aperture sized to engage the locking latch of the knife handle to release the knife from the chambered position for facilitating actuation of thereof and method for its use.

Abstract: A food cutting device is disclosed which has particular application in cutting pizza pies and the like. A dull, convexly curved blade attached to concavely curved handle extending over the entire length of the blade allows the user to sever a pizza pie in a smooth rocking motion. The cutting device may be stored during non-use in a holder having an elongated receptacle for receiving the blade of the cutting device.

Abstract: A utility knife for electricians has a handle member formed of two mating parts with a blade carrier therein that moves a blade in an out of a slot in an end wall. The handle member has an aperture in the end remote from the slot that has a slitting knife partially protruding therein for slitting "Romex" type cable. The handle also has a notch that partially intersects the blade for stripping insulation from a conductor. A hole is provided into which a bare conductor may be inserted and by bending the conductor, it may be formed into a curve for inserting the same under a screw terminal.

Abstract: A two part, ornamental pocket knife having the appearance of a rifle bullet when sheathed. The shell portion of the bullet serves both as a sheath and a handle for the knife blade, which is rigidly anchored in the inner end of the bullet tip.

Abstract: A combination match safe and knife which can safely be carried in a pocket in a closed position with the knife portion being reversible, that is, in one position, the knife blade and matches are enclosed inside the container, while in a second position the knife blade is positioned outside the container and the container becomes a handle. The device also has a striking surface for the matches and a flint which the knife can be sharply struck against to produce a spark.

Abstract: A knife sheath having front and back panels made of flexible material is lined with elongated flexible magnets affixed to the inner surface of the panels. The magnets grip the blade of the knife holding it in the sheath. Non-magnetic material separates the ends of the magnets at the sheath opening to facilitate entry of the knife blade into the sheath. A stiffener plate extending from a belt loop to the back panel prevents the connection between the belt loop and that panel from buckling when the knife is withdrawn. The stiffener plate may extend into the space between the sheath panels a substantial distance and have a flange on the edge thereof for preventing contact between the knife point and the edge of the sheath.

Abstract: Sheathable scissors including a pair of scissors members pivoted at their center and having a blade end and a handle end. There is a step between the handle and the blade, down to the blade, and an engaging lug is formed along the step. The sheath for receiving the blades includes a recessed opening and has a thickness, at the opening, equal to the height of the steps so that, when the blades are inserted into the sheath, the surface of the sheath is smoothly contiguous to the surfaces of the handles.

Abstract: A combination scalpel blade removal and storage apparatus having an easy to grip hourglass-shaped, disposable plastic housing which includes a strategically located safety shield that prevents accidental cuts during the blade insertion and removal process. The housing is provided with an internal, blade receiving channel which closely receives the blade and positively locates the tang portion of the handle within the housing. The blade stripping mechanism of the apparatus comprises an integrally formed, spring loaded lever arm disposed externally of the housing. Pressing the lever effortlessly deflects the heel of the blade away from the tang and over into a recessed stop, or pocket formed near the forward portion of the housing. Retraction of the handle with a straight line, continuous movement, while maintaining an inwardly directed force on the lever, smoothly strips the blade from the handle.

Abstract: A sheath and knife combination providing an interlocking fit when the knife is inserted into the sheath. The sheath is provided with two upward extensions having a resilient leaf on one extension oppositely facing a hole on the other extension. The knife has two buttons disposed on opposite surfaces of the knife handle and connected by a shaft. When the knife is fully inserted into the sheath, the leaf contacts one of the buttons thereby forcing the opposing button into the hole so that the knife and sheath become interlocked. The knife may be removed from the sheath by pushing the button which engages the hole and pulling the knife out of the sheath.

Abstract: A knife and sheath in combination in which a two-headed bolt supported in the knife handle may be positioned to interlock with the sheath. The bolt is symmetrical with respect to the knife to permit insertion of the knife into the sheath in either direction. The sheath has a portion of a resilient flexible wall positioned to engage one head of the bolt to urge the other into a hole in the other side of the sheath to secure the knife within the sheath until the bolt is pushed firmly in the opposite direction to disengage the knife and the sheath.

Abstract: A single catch knife sheath construction (10) comprising a sheath unit (11) having an intermediate sheath layer (23) which defines both the contour and dimensions of the sheath opening (26) so as to accept a knife (100) in either a right handed or left handed disposition; and, a retention unit (12) operatively associated with the sheath unit (11), and including a spring loaded retention member (35) having a catch element (38) that is adapted to engage one side of the top of the hand guard (102) of a knife (100).

Abstract: A double safety lock and quick release tool and tool holder assembly comprising a locking portion in the tool holder including two apertures and a matching locking mechanism in the handle of the tool. The locking mechanism including a pair of springs, each spring having a locking pin at one end and being fastened at the other end within the handle of the tool, the two locking pins protruding above the surface of the tool handle and tightly fitting within the two apertures of the tool holder. The locking mechanism also including two activators, each activator having a portion extending outside the tool handle and a portion within the tool handle resting on one of the springs. When the activators are pushed, the springs are forced downward, resulting in the locking pins being moved downward from the surface of the tool handle and out of the apertures of the tool holder, thereby releasing the tool from the tool holder.

Abstract: An emergency seat belt cutter for mounting in the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The cutter has a handle, a long and narrow blade mounted longitudinally in a blade support portion integral with the handle and lugs on the handle for engagement with a sheath. The sheath has a cylindrical interior with a mounting for the inside of the vehicle, a coil spring in the bottom of the cylindrical interior and bayonet connectors for engagement with the lugs. The cutter is inserted into the sheath with pressure and a counterclockwise rotation. The cutter is removed by again applying transverse pressure and turning in a clockwise direction wherein the coil spring expels the knife into a person's palm.

Abstract: A knife with a retractable knife blade comprising a base element, a pivot pin formed in the base element, a knife blade mounted on the pivot pin and maneuverable between retracted and extended positions, an activation notch formed on one end of the blade, a sliding knob interconnected with the base element and the knife blade by means of a connecting arm for the purpose of moving the knife blade from the retracted to the extended position.

Abstract: A sheath for housing a retractable knife both in its retracted or unretracted state provided with a pair of pockets, one adapted to receive the knife blade and a second adapted to receive the knife when the blade is housed within its handle, and additionally capable of being folded into a more compact form when housing a retracted knife.

Abstract: A knife sheath is provided including a rear side defining an upwardly opening receptacle portion for downwardly receiving therein the blade of a survival knife and a front side defining a pair of side-by-side upwardly opening compartments with one of the compartments having a plurality of aerial flares stored therein and the other compartment defining an aerial flare supporting compartment in which the base end of one of the aerial flares may be removably retentatively supported. The knife sheath defines a firing pin bore disposed immediately beneath and opening upward into the aforementioned other compartment and containing an upwardly spring biased firing pin therein for impact with a center primer portion of the base end of aerial flare retained in position thereabove.