US2051721A - Knife - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 1s, 1936.

G. N. KIRANGELOS KNIFE Filed June 3, 1935 Patented Aug. 18, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE George N. Kirangelos, New York, N. Y. Application June s, V1935, serial No. 24,737 s Claims. (ci. sii-'9) This invention relates to a knife designed primarily for cutting fur skins, but it is to be understood that it is for use in any connection where it is found to be applicable. y

The essential objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a knife for the purpose referred to of a construction to permit of a. blade being readily removed and a new blade substituted when occasion requires; to provide for the folding of the blade in an encased manner when the knife -is not in use .thereby preventing injury from the cutting edge of the blade, more especially from the point of the blade if the knife is dropped; to latch the blade in extended position when using the knife to. prevent the folding of the latter; to prevent any injury from the point and cutting edge of the blade when the knife is closed; to overcome thenecessity of employing a separate enclosing casing for the knife when the latter is carried upon the person; to protect the bearing finger of the operator when using the knife; to protect the cutting edge of the blade of the knife when the latter is not in use; to provide the handle ofthe knife as a protector for the blade when the latter is folded; and to so form the knife handle as to permit it to be provided with a scale as a convenience to the operator.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, iniafmanner as hereinafter set forth, a knife for the purpose referred to which is simple in its construction and arrangement,- strong, durable, compact, thoroughly efficient for the purpose intended thereby, readily assembled and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

To the above ends essentially and to others which may hereinafter appear,Y the invention consists of such parts which will be described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing,

` wherein is shown an embodiment of the -invention, but it is to bek understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawing: K v "Figure 1 is a side elevation of the knife when open and illustrating in full and dotted lines the finger guard in operative and inoperative positions respectively,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the knife when open with a section of the handle element and a section of the blade coupling element removed and further illustrating in dotted lines the position of the blade and the blade coupling element when the knife is closed,

' Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the knife in open position,

' Figure` 4 is a section on line 4 4, Figure 2, vFigure 5 is a section on line 5-5, Figure 1,

y'Figure 6 is a side elevation of the blade, and

Figure 7 is an elevation of a modified form of blade capable of being reversed.

The knife includes a combined case, guard and handle element 'I, a combined blade carrier and coupling element 8, a blade 8a, a combined finger guard and blade locking element 9, a. latching device I for retaining the knife in open position, and a pivot element YII common toelements I and 8. Y

Theelement 1 includes a pair of outer sections I2, I3 and an intermediate section I4 which coacts with the said other sections to form a case with a closed top, partly open inner and outer ends and a completely open bottom. The sectionsv I2, I3 are of like contour and each has its forward end formed -with a lower semi-circular edge-portion I5 and an upper edge portion I6 which is inset with respect to edge portion I5. The edge portionv I 6 is disposed at an outward inclination from its lower to its upper end. The inner end of the top of edge portion I5 merges into the lower end of edge portion I6. The sections I2,`I3 have rounded rear end edges' II, curved top and bottom edges I8, I9 extending respectively from the upper and lower ends'of edge I'l. `The forward portion of edge I8 is upon an outwardly directed curve and has its forward endmerging into the outer end of edge portion I6. The edge IS is straight and inclines downwardly from the bottom of edge I'I and terminates in the end of the bottom of the edge portion I5. The edge portions I6 are parallel and constitute an abutment for a'Y purpose to be referred to. The sections I2, I3 have aligning openings arranged below edge portions I6. Thesection I4 is in the form of a narrow strap havinggitsouterside edgeconforming in con# tour tothe top edges I8 and the upper portion of the edges I I of sections I2, I3. The section I4 is narrow and of angle contour to provide an elongated upper, horizontal leg 2I and an upstanding leg 22 'depending from the outer end of leg 2|. The forward end of leg 2| is of the same contour as the edge portions I6. Thesection I4 is ush with edge portions I6 and edges I I and I8. rThe lbottom edge of 4leg 2I is cut out toprovide aslioulder 23 intermediate its ends. The sections I2, I3 vare formed with parallel bayonet `shaped slots 24 arranged at and depending below the bottom edge of leg 2I.V The sections I2, I3 and I4 are suitably secured together. The outer faces of the sections I2, I3 bordering the edges I9 are provided with graduated scales 25, only one shown.

The combined blade carrier and coupling element 8 comprises a pair of resilient side cheeks 25, 26 extending between the inner ends of sections I2, i3 of element 1. Each cheek is formed of a substantially triangular shaped part 21 and an oifset rearwardly extending, downwardly inclined circular extension 28. The upper portions of the rear ends of the cheeks 25, 26, above the extensions 28, are provided with edge portions 219 which extend at an inclination from their lower to their upper ends in a direction toward the forward ends of the cheeks. The extensions 28 are formed with axially arranged openings 30.` The cheek 25, in proximity to its bottom end edge for-` wardly of its extension 28, has anchored thereto forward and rear spaced blade holding pins 3 I ,'3 I

respectively which extend towards cheek 26 and are formed with reduced parts .32 Vwherebythe pins are shouldered, as at 33. The axis of pin 3|a is arranged above the axis of pin 3|. The cheek 26, in proximity to its bottom edge forwardly of its extension 28, is provided with forward and rear spaced openings 34, 34e respectively, for receiving the reduced parts 32 of the pins. Theaxis of opening ,34e is arranged above the axis of opening 34. When the reduced parts 32 are extended into the openings 34, 34a the shoulders 33 abut against the inner face of cheek 26. The cheeks are arranged in parallel spaced relation for the reception therebetween of the upper portion of the blade 8a and for this purpose there is secured to the inner face of the cheek 25 a disc 35 which has its edge iiush with the extensions 28. The disc 35 is formed with an axial opening 36 which is to align with the openings 30 in extensions 28. rhe disc 35 at its edge, isformed vwith spaced cutouts, as at 32,. 33, to provide respectively a combined clearance and abutment and a ratchet tooth for purposes to be referred to. The forward side edges of cheeks` 25, 26 have aligning cutouts 38 fora purpose to vbe set forth. The cutouts 39 form upper and lower shoulders and inset forward edge portions connecting the upper shoulders to the lower shoulders.

'Ihe blad-e element 8a is of substantial frusto triangular form and consists of a'body part 40 having a cutting edge 4I, a front edge formed of a pair of rearwardly inclined superposed edge portions 42, 43 disposed in parallel'planes and with the edge portion 43V arranged below andforwardly of edge portion 42, a straight upper edge 44 of materially less length than its cutting edge and a rear edge formed of a lower straight edge portion 45 and an upper edge portion 46 extending forwardly at an inclination from the upper end of edge portion 45 to the rear end of edge 44. The edge portions 42, 43 are at a greater inclination than that of edge portion 46. The latter is of materially greater length than edge portion 45. The body part 4B is provided above its longitudinal median with a forward and a rear opening 41, 48 respectively and with opening 48 having its axis arranged above the axis of opening 41. It will be noted that the extensions 28, in the open condition of the knife have an edge portion curving away from the bottom edge of the handle and extending beyond thev `openend of the latter and that the cutting edge 4I of the blade element 82L inclines away from said edge and is offset inwardly ofthe latter whereby in cutting an edge of a skin, for instance on -a table, the knifeelement may be positioned over the edge of the skin and rocked downwardly the extensions being used as a fulcrum bearing upon the table.

The finger guard element 9, which also constitutes a lock for blade Se and coacts with the outer ends of the cheeks 25, 26, consists of a channel shaped body 49 having integral with the upper end of one side thereo-f an apertured arm 50 which is pivotally connected, as at 5I, to and is arranged against the outer side of cheek 25. The element 9, in connection with the `pins 3l, 3Ia, releasably lock the blade 8fL to the element 8.

VThe blade is inserted between the cheeks to a position whereby the non-reduced parts of the pins 34, 3Ia will be arranged in the openings 41, 48. The cheek 26 is then moved towards cheek 25 to provide for the reduced parts 32 to extend into the openings 34, 34a. The element 9 is then shifted from its dotted line position (Figure 1) to its full line position (Figure 1) whereby the blade will be removably locked to the cheeks in position to be used. When the body 49 of element 3 is in its full line position (Figure l) it will seat in the cutouts 39 and against edge portion 42 of the blade, as well as straddle and be ush with the outer end edges of the cheeks and the edge portion 43 of the blade. When the knife is used one of the operators fingers bears on the body 49 of element 9 and such body prevents the finger from being injured by the outer end edges of the cheeks and blade. When the latter is detachably secured to the cheeks it has a part of its rear edge abutting the edge of the cutout 31. The edge of the latter is of a contour similar to the edge portions 45, 46 of the blade.

Since the cheeks 25 and 25, as previously men.- tioned, are resilient they may be flexed away from each other to break the coaction of the pins 3 I, 3 I8L with the openings 34, 34a and to facilitate inserting and removing the blade element 8a. By swinging one cheek relative to the other access may be had to the interior of the blade carrier for convenient manipulation of the blade element in inserting or removing the same. As will be apparent the cheeks 25 and 26 are locked against such relative movement by coaction of the element 9 with the cut outs 39.

Positioned against the outer faces of the sections I2, I3 of the element 1 are axially apertured discs 52. The apertures of the discs 52 align with the openings 20, 38, 36., Countersunk in the apertures of the discs 52 and extending through the openings 2D, 30, 36 is the pivot element II. The latter and discs 52 clamp elements 1 and 8 together to prevent one freely moving relative to the other, but the clamping action is such as to permit the knife toY be opened and closed when occas1on requires.

The latching device I0 coacts with the ratchet tooth formed by cutout 38 for the purpose of maintaining the knife in open position, suchl as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3. The device I0 is spring Vcontrolled and includes a latching member 53 slidably mounted on a. lug 54 on the inner face of section I2, a pull member 55 for and pivotally connected to member 53, as at 56, an arm `51 carried by member 55 and extending through the slots 24 and finger pieces 58 on the ends of Y-arm 51 to facilitate the shifting of device ID to and from latching position. The controlling spring of the device I0 is indicated at 59.

The pull member 55, when latching member 53 in engagement with the ratchet tooth formed by cutout 38, is to abut the shoulder 23 whereby the latching device I0 will bemaintained ina position to prevent the shifting of the combined blade carrier and coupling element 8 on pivot element I l When the latching device Ill is released, the knife can be closed in a manner whereby element 8 and blade 8a will be arranged in the dotted line position shown in Figure 2, that is, the portion of the blade extended from element 8 and a part of the latter will be encased by element 1.

The edge portions I6 and 29- coact for limiting the opening of the knife and to cause the elements 1 and 8 to extend in lateral relation with respect to each other.

The bayonet slots 24 and arm 5l coact under the influence of the controlling spring 5S, when the device lil is moved to locking position to form snap-action devices for holding the element l0 in latching position.

The modified form of blade element shown in Figure 6 is designated 6B and is in the form of a symmetrical trapezoid. The element is formed with a pair of spaced openings 6I which are parallel to its cutting edge 62. The element 60 is reversible. The forward portion of disc 35 will be cut away in a suitable manner to provide a clearance which would be common to the front and rear edges of the element 60 when the latter is used in normal or reversed positions.

What I claim is:

1. A knife for use in cutting material upon a ilat support and comprising, a hollow handle having a rib-like back member extending along one edge and open at its opposite edge and one end respectively, a blade holder adapted to be swung into and out of said handle to open and close the knife and comprising, a pair of laterally spaced cheek plates having extending therefrom substantially semi-circular ears pivotally secured, in the open end of the handle, each of said ears having an edge portion extending, in the open condition of the knife, beyond the open end of the handle whereby said holder may be rocked upon the support with a rolling motion by means of said handle and pressure exerted downwardly thereon, said ears bearing against said back member whereby the pivot of the holder is relieved of such pressure and shearing of said pivot thereby obviated, and a knife blade removably secured between said cheek plates, and having a cutting V edge inclining, in the open condition of the knife,

blade therebetween and provided with coacting devices cooperating with said apertures to secure the blade between said plates, said plates being resilient for separative flexing action to break the coaction between said devices and swingable independently of each other for access to said blade, and a combined locking element and iingerguard for securing said plates against such flexing action and for applying pressure against said holder, said element being pivotally mounted on one plate to fold over the edges of said plates and in its folded position being countersunk in said edges whereby said plates are held against independent swinging movement.

3. In a knife, a hollow handle having a riblike back member extending along one edge thereof and open at its opposite edge and one end respectively, a blade, a blade holder adapted to swing into and out of said handle and comprising, laterally spaced cheek plates having extending therefrom substantially semi-circular ears pivotally secured in the open end of the handle and bearing at their edges against said back member, one of said ears being provided with a notch for location, in the outwardly swung position of the holder, contiguous said back member, and means to lock the holder in outwardly swung position and comprising a locking bolt slidable on said member into said notch, a manipulative element for sliding said bolt, and snap action devices for latching said element to said handle in the locking position of said bolt.

GEORGE N. KIRANGELOS.

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