Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting device with a retractable blade comprising a blade and a sleeve into which it is adapted to be retracted. It comprises: support means (16) for the blade (12), having means forming a drive abutment (36), adapted to slide along the axis of said sleeve (10), first resilient return means (19); controllable movement means (26) mounted on said sleeve (10), adapted to coact with said support means (16) and abutment means adapted to receive said support means (16) of the blade (12) in a second working position to block them in translation.

Abstract: A utility knife having a quick release feature, whereby a resilient blade engaging member biased to the locked position engages an opening in the blade, and when the blade engaging member is pushed against the end of a guide slot it automatically releases from the blade allowing the blade to be removed from the knife handle. The knife handle structure reinforces the throat of the knife, by providing a double channel configuration comprising an outer channel with a blade retaining surface and an inner channel inverted relative to the outer channel and providing a blade supporting surface. The outer channel is tapered toward the inner channel about the throat of the knife, to reinforce the throat and prevent deformation under the stresses imparted by the knife blade when in use.

Abstract: A utility knife having a quick release feature, whereby a resilient blade engaging member biased to the locked position engages an opening in the blade, and when the blade engaging member is pushed against the end of a guide slot it automatically releases from the blade allowing the blade to be removed from the knife handle. The knife handle structure reinforces the throat of the knife, by providing a double channel configuration comprising an outer channel with a blade retaining surface and an inner channel inverted relative to the outer channel and providing a blade supporting surface. The outer channel is tapered toward the inner channel about the throat of the knife, to reinforce the throat and prevent deformation under the stresses imparted by the knife blade when in use.

Abstract: An improved automatically retractable cutting device includes (a) a housing having a guide slot, with one or more notches disposed in the guide slot, (b) a return spring within the housing, and (c) a blade carrier disposed within the housing and biased by the return spring. The blade carrier includes a thumb piece extending through the guide slot, the thumb piece having a protuberance adapted to at least partially frictionally engage the notch during movement of the thumb piece along the guide slot to enable the thumb piece to be held in position adjacent to the notch with reduced force. Each notch may include a forward direction ramping surface, whereby reduced force is required to prevent further blade extension, and/or a reverse direction ramping surface, whereby reduced force is required to prevent blade retraction. Each ramping surface is preferably angled at less than ninety degrees.

Abstract: A ticket scraping device for use with a commemorative coin comprises a two-piece housing having a front section releasably connected to a rear section and defining an opening in a lower end of the housing. The front section further defines a centrally disposed circular aperture while the rear section defines a longitudinally extending slot. The scraping device further includes a slider member having an annular clamping member removably disposed in the housing for releasably holding a coin. The slider member further includes an actuator button disposed in a recess formed in the outer surface of the rear section and having a flange which extends through the slot and is releasably coupled to the clamping member. Therefore, the clamping member along with the coin held thereby may be slidably extended through the opening in the lower end of the housing and retracted within the housing. When extended, the coin is useful for scraping a protective film from a game ticket.

Abstract: A utility knife comprises two elongate handle portions and a blade carrier assembly carrying a blade arranged to protrude from a front end of the handle. The upper handle portion has an aperture through a rear end part thereof. When the knife is assembled, the two handle portions are slid relatively longitudinally of one another, the upper handle portion moving forwardly of the lower handle portion, until a latch part near the rear end of the lower handle portion clicks into latching engagement with the front edge of the aperture in the upper handle portion. The upper handle portion is formed near its front end with interlocking elements, each having an integral, forwardly projecting piece at the bottom thereof. The front of the lower handle portion is formed with interlocking elements, each having an integral, rearwardly projecting piece at the top thereof, to overlie and hence interlock with a forwardly projecting piece at the bottom of the corresponding interlocking element of the upper handle portion.

Abstract: A utility knife comprises two elongate handle portions and a blade carrier assembly carrying a blade arranged to protrude from a front end of the handle. The upper handle portion has an aperture through a rear end part thereof. When the knife is assembled, the two handle portions are slid relatively longitudinally of one another, the upper handle portion moving forwardly of the lower handle portion, until a latch part near the rear end of the lower handle portion clicks into latching engagement with the front edge of the aperture in the upper handle portion. The upper handle portion is formed near its front end with interlocking elements, each having an integral, forwardly projecting piece at the bottom thereof. The front of the lower handle portion is formed with interlocking elements, each having an integral, rearwardly projecting piece at the top thereof, to overlie and hence interlock with a forwardly projecting piece at the bottom of the corresponding interlocking element of the upper handle portion.

Abstract: A utility knife comprising a casing, blade moving mechanism slidably mounted within the casing, the blade storage in the casing, the blade storage comprising a guide finger under which blades are stacked and along which blades are slidably movable. The blade moving mechanism is adapted to be moved to a position opposite the guide finger and a mechanism for advancing blades toward the blade moving mechanism along the guide finger. The blade moving mechanism having a blade pickup finger and the blade moving mechanism adapted to move a blade off of the guide finger and on to the blade pick up mechanism.

Abstract: A knife and sheath assembly includes a knife having a handle and a blade and a sheath having a cavity for releasably receiving the knife blade in a storage condition. A first end portion of the blade is adjustably mounted in the handle and a second end portion including a cutting edge protrudes from the handle. The blade is movable between a first, retracted position in which a first length of the blade protrudes from the handle and a second, extended position in which a second length of the blade longer than the first length protrudes from the handle. A releasable latch member on the handle releasably locks the knife blade in the first and second positions, and the sheath cavity is designed to receive the portion of the knife blade which protrudes from the handle in the retracted position, such that the overall length of the assembly is reduced when the knife is sheathed.

Abstract: An artistic knife with replaceable blade magazine, including a handle formed with a receptacle on one side in which a blade magazine is inserted. The magazine is formed with an internal reservoir in which several overlapped blades are placed. A pushing member is slidable within the reservoir. The pushing member is formed with a stop wall for abutting against the rear end of the blade. An upper edge of front end of the blade magazine is an opening through which the uppermost blade in the reservoir and the pushing member are pushed out. A blade seat is back and forth movably disposed on inner face of the handle. One side of the blade seat is formed with a blade cavity. A latch hook is disposed on upper side of the blade cavity. The top edge of the blade is formed with at least one notch for the hook section of the latch hook to hook in. The blade seat is controlled by a pushing member to move forward or backward to make a blade extend out of the handle for use.

Abstract: A utility cutter includes right and left covers that are screwed together to receive a blade braking gear and a spare blade cartridge therein. The blade braking gear includes a blade holder for holding a blade thereto, and a slide button and a blade-replacing key movably connected to the blade holder. When the slide button is depressed and slid forward, the blade-replacing key and the blade holder are moved forward to extend the blade; when the slide button is depressed and slid backward, the blade is retracted into the covers; and when the blade-replacing key is depressed when the blade is extended, the blade could be removed from the cutter and replaced with a new one. The spare blade cartridge stores multiple spare blades therein. By pushing a front cover of the cartridge forward, a spare blade is pushed out of the cartridge for replacing an old blade.

Abstract: It is possible by use of a disclosed cutter wheel to obtain deep vertical cracks inside brittle materials while suppressing generation of horizontal cracks. Such a cutter wheel for brittle materials comprises a disk with two side planes and an outer periphery between them, outer periphery comprising two bevel portions and a ridge portion between them. The ridge portion comprises a plurality of peaks aligned along a circumferential line. For example, the ridge portion comprises a straight line connecting two adjacent peaks in the plurality of peaks. Alternatively, the ridge portion comprises a depression between two adjacent peaks in the plurality of peaks, and the depth of the depression is deeper than the straight line connecting between the two adjacent peaks. Preferably, the peaks are arranged at an equal distance between them.

Abstract: A knife includes a blade holder slidably received in a housing for holding a blade with one or more spring-biased protrusions. The housing has a passage for slidably receiving one or more spare blades. One or more springs are received in the housing and engaged with the spare blades for forcing the spare blades toward of the blade holder when the blade is removed from the blade holder. The blades may thus be exchanged without disassembling the housing. A button is slidably received in the housing and has one or more legs for disengaging the protrusions from the blades.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a knife comprising a casing (2) and a blade (6) which can have two positions, a first so-called extended position, in which the blade (6) projects outside the casing (2), and a second so-called retracted position, in which the blade (6) is disposed integrally within the casing (2), characterized in that it comprises a blade carrier (4) to which is connected the blade (6), a housing (3) on which is slidably mounted said blade carrier (4) removably mounted within the casing (2) and a finger piece-pusher (7) mounted slidably on the casing so as to move forwardly said blade carrier (4) so as to place the blade in cutting position, said blade carrier (4) and finger piece-pusher (7) being returned to the retracted rest position by return springs (8-11), and in that means (7b, 16, 17) are provided to secure the finger piece-pusher (7) and the blade carrier (4) together to place the blade in said first position, said means being uncoupled by a conjoint action of rotation and extraction

Abstract: A utility knife for retractably retaining a replaceable blade with a body, at least two detents connected to the body and a blade adjusting knife retaining fastener mechanism. The body has first and second portions and a major longitudinal dimension. The first and second portions define a cavity for storing at least a portion of the blade. The blade adjusting, knife retaining fastener mechanism extends through the blade adjustment slots of the first and second portions and is coupled to the blade. The fastener mechanism is configured to releasably connect the distal ends of the first and second portions of the body without the use of tools, and to releasably engage at least one of the detents and to adjustably extend along the blade adjustments slots without the use of tools. Each engagement of the fastener mechanism to one of the stops defines a distinct position of the blade with respect to the body.

Abstract: An adjustable safety utility knife includes an elongated ergonomically shaped handle formed of two elongate shell members each having a peripheral edge and an outer generally convex surface and an inner generally concave surface. The shell members are fastened at the peripheral edges along a vertical parting plane to form an elongated internal cavity. The handle defines a front end, a back end and an intermediate portion suitable for being gripped by a user and also defining top and bottom surfaces extending along opposite sides of the shell members along said peripheral edges. The handle has a slot-like aperture at the front end substantially aligned with the parting plane and dimensioned for passage of a flat cutting blade therethrough. A guide element within the elongated cavity guides the cutting blade between a first position for safely storing the blade fully inside said cavity and a second position for selectively extending the blade beyond the aperture to expose at least a portion thereof.

Abstract: A safety mechanism for a utility knife, including a razor blade mounted in a blade holder slideably mounted in a blade chamber in the housing. The blade holder includes a tab protruding therefrom and is adapted to move between a retracted, blade-stowage position in the housing and a deployed position wherein the blade at least partially protrudes from the housing. The safety mechanism comprises a foreshortened safety channel adapted to engagingly receive the blade holder tab when the blade holder is retracted into the stowed position. The motion of the tab is restricted by the safety channel, thereby restricting the motion of the blade holder. The tab may be disengaged from the safety channel by simultaneously pushing it away from the deployed position and into the blade chamber. Once the tab is disengaged, the blade holder may be moved into the deployed position by pushing it towards the deployed position while maintaining the pushing force into the blade chamber.

Abstract: An improved structure art design knife comprised of a lower cover, a front upper cover, a rear upper cover, a blade mount, a blade, a release button, and a press button. The blade mount for the blade is contained in the blade mount channel of the lower cover, with a guide slot and a number of stepped engagement notches also disposed on the lower cover. A semicircular hole is formed at the other end of the lower cover, with a tab having a hook slot situated nearby. Formed in the front upper cover that fits onto the front end of the lower cover is an elongated hole having inserted within a retention button and a retention block, and the inner side of the retention block is tapered. Formed at the back end of the rear upper cover is another semicircular hole that corresponds to the semicircular hole of the lower cover. Two insertion nocks are formed along the center of the back side of blade.

Abstract: A quick disassembly device for a heavy duty artistic cutter includes a handle combined with a pair of first and second half casings. The first half casing has a reduced end insertible into a vertical slot at a corresponding end of the second half casing. A circular depression is formed in the other end of each of the half casings including different slot in their bottoms for respectively engaging with rectangular latch and a positioning post from a fastener which fastens the two half casings together, a rectangular depression including a blade entrance in the top of the handle for slidably disposing a slidable blade rack therein.

Abstract: A retractable blade scraper includes an elongated handle having an upper surface, a lower surface, a left side, a right side, an open forward end and a rear end. Included in the handle is an integral blade slide housing that begins at the open forward end and extends longitudinally rearwardly toward the rear end of the handle. Slidably received and retained in the housing is a blade slide with a blade platform for removably retaining a scraping blade such that its scraping edge is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle. The blade slide is longitudinally reciprocable within the housing between a forwardmost blade-changing position in which the blade platform extends out of the housing, beyond the open forward end, by an amount sufficient to permit the removal and replacement of scraping blades therefrom and thereon and a rearwardmost blade-storage position in which the scraping edge of a scraping blade in place on the blade platform is housed within the housing for safety.

Abstract: To automatically retract the blade after cutting, a flat serpentine spring is integrally formed with a thumb piece which is slidably received in a slot formed along the upper edge of a housing/handle. The housing has a finger rest projection on the lower edge to facilitate cutting while the blade is projected with the thumb. The two halves of the housing snap together using a block-like projection formed on one half, and a pair of tabs formed on the other. The tabs, which are resilient, slide along the sides of the projection until recesses on each of the side of the projection are reached. Inwardly extending ridges on the ends of the tabs enter the recesses to provide a click lock. An aperture between the tabs allows pressure to be applied to the top of the projection to separate the two halves for blade reset/re-adjustment. The blade carrier, which is adapted to support two different types of blades, is slidably mounted in the housing so that it and the thumb piece are free of detents or click-locks.

Abstract: A mechanical thinning razor includes a shank, a handle, a blade, a bladeguard, a driving member and a sliding member. When pushing an external surface of the driving member toward a hollow midsection of the shank, the bevel of the driving member forces the sliding member to move longitudinally over a distance that corresponds to a width of exposed segments or non-exposed segments, thereby doubling the working life of the blade.

Abstract: A knife includes a blade support device slidably received in a housing for supporting a blade and having a spring limb. The spring limb includes one or more catches engaged with the blade for securing the blade to the blade support device. A button is slidably received in the housing and has one or more spring legs for disengaging the catches from the blade and for allowing the blade to be engaged into and disengaged from the blade support device without removing the blade support device from the housing. A knob may move the blade support device along the housing.

Abstract: A utility knife includes a pair of housing members having a front portion detachably secured together with a catch engagement. One housing member has a latch portion disposed in the rear portion, and a knob is slidably engaged through the other housing member and has a latch engaged with the latch portion for securing the rear portions of the housing members together. A spring may bias the latch of the knob to engage with the latch portion. The other housing has one or more swellings for securing the knob to the other housing member at the required position.

Abstract: To provide a cutter knife which can be stepwise automatically locked while preventing a leaf spring from being unusably deformed. A holder 1 has engaging recesses 1b of an isosceles trapezoid formed in its upper face, and a slider is so inserted in a slide groove as to move back and forth. In a center recess 2g formed in a body member 2 of the slider, there is inserted a leaf spring 4. In an opening 2d into and out of which the protruding portion of the leaf spring 4 is to go, there is disposed a boss 2e which is erected on the body member to regulating the movement of the leaf spring. An operation member 3, as movably supported by the body member, is provided with an engaging groove 3b and a movable stopper 3c. As the operation member is moved forward or backward, the movable stopper allows the backward movement of the protruding portion, and the engaging groove can depress the protruding portion of the leaf spring out of engagement from the engaging recess so that the slider can be moved.

Abstract: In order to permit two halves of a hand tool to be quickly separated and then reconnected following an operation such as gaining access to, storing or exchanging a cutting blade, tool or the like, a connector is arranged to require rotation only through about 90° to achieve disconnection/connection. The connector has an engagement/locking feature which can pass through an elongate/shaped opening on one of the two halves, and then be prevented from passing back therethrough when the rotational angle of the connector is changed with respect to the opening and rotates the engaging/locking feature into engagement with an external surface surrounding the elongate/shaped opening.

Abstract: A retractable utility knife having a housing, a coil spring disposed within the housing, a blade, and a manually operable push button extending through the housing and in contact with the blade for movement therewith. The blade is positioned for longitudinal movement within a longitudinal passage defined within the coil spring. The spring biases the blade to the retracted position.

Abstract: A handheld knife having a non-rotating retractable blade which reversibly travels between a position of storage within the knife handle and an extended position of use in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the knife handle.

Abstract: A utility knife includes a knife holder slidably received in the front portion of two casings. The front portions of the casings are hooked together. A knob is pivotally coupled to one of the casings and includes one end biased to engage with the other casing. A spring is engaged between the rear portions of the casings for biasing the rear portions of the casings away from each other when the knob is disengaged from the other casing and for allowing the casings to be easily separated from each other by the user.

Abstract: A utility knife having a holder body for supporting a blade slidably between a protruded position and a returned position, the utility knife comprising a spring means to be operated against a slider supporting the blade, a slider for manually moving said blade to a protruded position, a lock means for locking the slide movement of said slider at said protruded position resisting against the spring force of the spring means, and a means for releasing the lock of said lock means, wherein upon use, the blade temporarily fixed to the slider will be protruded from the holder by manually sliding said slider, and the blade could be locked at the end position of the slide. When storing the blade, the lock could be released by pressing on the lock release button, which allows the slider to be pulled back by the spring, and along with this movement, the blade could be stored automatically inside the holder body.

Abstract: A knife has a housing and a blade slide carrying a blade and displaceable longitudinally in the housing between a rear retracted end position with the blade wholly received in the housing and a front extended end position with the blade extending forward from the housing and through an intermediate position. A spring urges the blade slide continuously rearward into the retracted position. An actuator slide is displaceable in the housing independently of the blade slide between a front end position and a rear end position and through an intermediate position and is provided with an externally accessible actuating formation. Another spring urges the actuator slide continuously into the rear position.

Abstract: A dual blade utility knife that includes double-ended, retractable, separately actuatable cutting blades, one at each end, permitting extension of only one blade at a time, mounted in a non-complex housing unit that allows ready access through individual access panels to exchange and replace a single end blade when necessary. The utility tool is also capable of using the same type of blade at each end or different types of blades and dual-faced blades so that each blade can be reversed for extending the life and use of the tool between blade changes.

Abstract: In performing cesarean section (c/section) surgery, and other surgery, a scalpel blade is used having a blunt and rounded edge to divide or separate tissue. In a cesarean section a scalpel with a sharp edge is first used to begin the uterine incision. A scalpel blade with a blunt and rounded edge is then used to continue the incision through the uterine wall to the amniotic cavity. The blunt edge scalpel blade reduces the possibility of lacerating the baby during delivery.

Abstract: A cutting/scraping tool is disclosed, comprising a housing defining a longitudinal axis, a transverse chamber, and a blade chase adjacent a forward end of the housing. A cartridge is releasably retained within the chamber by detent lugs extending laterally from an outer surface of the cartridge in frictional engagement with a plurality of complementary detent recesses positioned on the housing. A blade within the cartridge is in aligned registry with the blade chase. A deflector is positioned beneath the blade. A transport mechanism is slidably mounted on the housing for substantially longitudinal movement between forward, intermediate and rearmost positions. An actuator projects from this housing to effect the sliding movement of the transport mechanism. The transport mechanism has a flexible, resilient tongue portion. A tab is formed on the tongue portion within the housing adjacent a forward end of the transport mechanism.

Abstract: A blade unit for a razor comb which can be used equally in two hair cutting directions is disclosed. The blade unit comprises a blade and a blade holder partially housing the blade. The blade holder has two edges, both of which are provided with a plurality of protrusions for combing hair. The protrusions partially cover the blade edge, leaving a plurality of uncovered blade edge portions for cutting hair. The covered blade edge portions and uncovered blade edge portions have an equal length and are provided alternately. The blade unit can be additionally provided with an appropriate blade sliding means for exchanging the covered and uncovered blade edge portions to refresh the cutting portions of the blade.

Abstract: Sheathed knives are disclosed that have a blade that is ejected via a button triggered spring longitudinally from the sheath into a locked use position in which the sheath then serves as the handle for the blade in the nature of a dagger, an elongated handled rod that slides within the sheath to draw the blade from its use position back into the sheath where it is automatically locked in a spring loaded sheathed position for triggered release into its use position and safety features to prevent the blade from accidental movement in or out relative to the sheath.

Abstract: A hand tool having a handle provided with a fastening member for fastening detachably the handle with a blade. The handle is provided with an insertion hole extending along the direction of the longitudinal axis of the handle, and a receiving slot perpendicular to the insertion hole. The insertion hole is intended to receive the fastening end of the blade. The fastening member is located in the receiving slot and composed of a spring, a retaining block and a press block. The blade is detachably fastened with the handle such that the retaining block of the fastening member is removably located in a locating hole of the fastening end of the blade, and that the retaining block can be actuated by the press block to move out of the locating hole of the blade to enable the fastening end of the blade to be pulled out of the insertion hole of the handle.

Abstract: An automatically retractable utility knife includes a housing and a blade carrier having a molded return spring, which may be integral with the blade carrier. The return spring is serpentine shaped and constructed of a resilient thermoplastic. The housing includes front and rear guide slots, with the blade carrier having a thumb piece extending through the front guide slot and a thumb piece extending through the rear guide slot for enabling the cutting device to be used by right or left-handed persons. The blade carrier may include a snap-off extension for limiting forward travel of the blade carrier with the snap-off extension in place. A method of manufacturing a utility knife includes the steps of providing a housing having an interior adapted to receive either an indexed blade carrier or an automatically retractable blade carrier, and assembling the housing with either an indexed blade carrier or an automatically retractable blade carrier therein.

Abstract: A surgical scalpel includes an elongate handle defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end. The scalpel has a cartridge removably mounted to the handle that has a blade holder with a proximal end and a distal end. There is a blade fixedly attached to blade holder disposed so that the blade projects distally outwardly when the cartridge is mounted on the handle. The cartridge also has a shield with a proximal end, a distal end and a bottom mounted onto the blade holder. The shield is slidably movable between a distal position where the shield substantially prevents inadvertent access to the blade and a proximal position where the shield substantially surrounds a portion of the handle and the blade is exposed for use. The cartridge is releasably mountable to the handle and has elements for substantially preventing movement of the shield with respect to the blade holder unless the cartridge is mounted on the handle.

Abstract: A multi-purpose knife for providing multiple blades includes an elongated housing having opposing side portions. Each of the opposing side portions includes a channel extending a length of the housing. The channels each have open outer ends and an open front face defined by opposed upper and lower edges. Central portions of the upper and lower edges include a plurality of teeth. A pair of slide mechanisms are positioned within the channels of the elongated housing. A central member of each slide mechanism has inwardly turned upper end lower edges and a central square hole therethrough. Interior end portions of each central member have blade chambers for holding a razor blade. Each of the slide mechanisms includes a releasable engagement portion disposed within the central hole of its central member. The releasable engagement member includes a pliable tab portion secured to the central member and a push portion secured to a free end of the tab portion.

Abstract: A knife handle such as in a utility knife or box cutter knife with a blade carrier having a planar blade support, parallel flanges and laterally projecting tabs for securing the blade in position on the carrier. The knife handle provides improved retention of a knife blade under torsional loads applied to the blade through the use of two or more longitudinally spaced retention tabs that capture both forward and rearward portions of the blade.

Abstract: An art designer blade device has a first hollow casing, a second hollow casing coupling with the first hollow casing, and an end cover covering the first hollow casing and the second hollow casing, a lower seat disposed between the first hollow casing and the second hollow casing, a blade holder disposed in the art designer blade device, and the blade holder holding a blade.

Abstract: A double-ended dual mechanism retractable blade utility knife. The knife includes two separately actuable mechanisms which allow extension and retraction of one or both blades independently of one another. The cutting surfaces of the respective blades are oriented towards opposite sides of the knife, thereby facilitating rotation of the knife within the user's hand in order to change which blade is currently being used. The independent nature of the dual mechanisms allows both of the blades to be held in the extended position. A storage area is further provided behind each of the mechanisms for the storage of spare blades.

Abstract: A knife includes two casings for slidably supporting a knife blade. The casings includes a structure that may be easily assembled together without additional tools. The casings each includes a latch formed on one end for engaging with each other and for securing one end of the casings together. A knob is slidably engaged on one of the casings and includes a hook for engaging with the other casing and for securing the casings together. A spring may bias the hook to engage with an engaging recess of the other casing.

Abstract: A surgical scalpel includes an elongate handle that has a proximal end, a open distal end and sidewalls that define an upwardly open cavity with a bottom with an open void therein. The sidewalls each have an elongate channel therein. The scalpel of the invention includes a cartridge that is removably retained within the cavity. The cartridge includes a shield. The cartridge has a blade holder with a proximal end and a distal end mounted within the shield for slidable movement between a proximal and a distal position. There is a latch on the blade holder for engaging the handle and the shield to retain releasably the blade holder in the distal position and the proximal position. The scalpel has a blade fixedly attached to the blade holder so that when the blade holder is in the distal position, the blade projects distally from the handle. When the blade holder is in the proximal position, the blade is within the shield and the handle and thus substantially protected from inadvertent exposure.

Abstract: A scalpel of the present invention includes an elongate handle defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end. The scalpel of the invention further includes a cartridge that is removably mounted to the handle. The cartridge has blade holder with a proximal end and a distal end with a blade fixedly attached that is disposed so that the blade projects distally outwardly when the cartridge is mounted to the handle. The cartridge also includes a shield that is slidably mounted onto the blade holder for movement between a distal position where the shield substantially prevents inadvertent access to the blade and a proximal position where the shield substantially surrounds a portion of the handle and the blade is exposed for use. The cartridge is releasably mountable on the handle. The shield is substantially prevented from movement to the proximal position unless the cartridge is mounted on the handle and not dismountable from the handle unless the shield is in the distal position.

Abstract: A surgical scalpel has a retractable sleeve. An elongated handle with a contoured grip portion is releasably attached to a blade holder securing a surgical blade. The blade holder is secured to the handle by a hook and groove assembly and a male to female connection. The sleeve slides between an extended position and a retracted position on the handle and blade holder. The extended position of the sleeve covers the blade thereby protecting operating room personnel. An arch on the sleeve contacts the hook and disengages the hook out of the groove to facilitate removal of the blade holder.

Abstract: A surgical scalpel includes a handle with a proximal end and a distal end that defines a cavity with an open distal end within the handle. The handle further includes an opening. The scalpel of the invention has a cartridge removably mountable to the handle. The cartridge includes a blade holder with a proximal end and a distal end. The blade holder includes elements for removably mounting the cartridge to the handle. There is a blade fixedly attached to the blade holder so that the blade projects distally. The scalpel of has a shield mounted on the blade holder for slidable movement between a distal position wherein the shield substantially prevents inadvertent access to the blade and a proximal position wherein the shield is substantially within the handle and the blade is exposed for use. The shield has a latch for engaging the blade holder and releasably retaining the shield in both the distal position and the proximal position.

Abstract: A utility knife having a preferred two piece construction is provided. The utility knife includes a knife handle of unitary construction and a blade carrier also of unitary construction. The blade carrier includes a cutting blade portion for engaging the cutting blade and a storage portion for engaging extra cutting blades. The blade carrier also includes a spring element having a button. The button includes a rib which engages notches located on a slot of the knife handle. The blade carrier, and hence the cutting blade, may be extended or retracted by depressing the button and moving the blade carrier within the knife handle. The blade carrier is locked in place as the rib on the button engages one of the notches in the slot. The blade carrier is removed from the knife handle by depressing the button and passing the blade carrier through an inner portion of the knife handle.

Abstract: A hand held utility knife (20) is provided internally with a rectilinear guidance track (42) for the cutting blade (28), while the operating button (38) for advancing and retracting the blade (28) is guided in a curved slot (40). The mechanism (36) for advancing and retracting the blade (28) comprises a member (44) with a spigot (46) at the front end of member (44) and the operating button (38) at the rear end of member (44), which pivots on the spigot (46) relative to the blade (28). The spigot (46) is rectilinearly guided by internal ribs (64, 66) within the handle (22), independently of the rectilinear track (42) for guiding the blade (28).