TODAY’S PATENT – UTILITY KNIFE

The UTILITY KNIFE was invented by  Gad Shaanan (Westmount), Imre Grosz (Dollard-des-Ormeaux), Serge Provost (Ville St-Laurent) on the 26^th of June 1990 , bearing patent number US4936014A.

The present invention relates to utility knives of the type having a retractable blade and, more particularly, to those having a removable and replaceable blade.

Utility knives tend to have the following characteristics. Retract ability of the blade within the casing of the knife provides safety thereto when it is not in use and may also prolong the life of the blade. Sturdiness of the casing of the utility knife and of the blade mounting mechanism is also an important asset if the knife is to be used for heavy duty cutting operations. Remove ability and replace ability of the blade in the utility knife is an economical feature as the same casing can be used over and over since only the worn blades have to be replaced. Ideally, the blade of such utility knives can be replaced quickly, easily and safely. Two basic casing general designs are basically presently known and used for achieving some of the above-mentioned objects.An aim of the present invention to provide a utility knife of the type wherein the two mating casing halves are pivotally mounted together and which includes a simple, sturdy and reliable locking member therefor.