Utility knife with improved safety feature

Abstract

The disclosure is directed to a utility knife which is suitable for mounting at least two different types of blades and which has an improved safety feature. The knife of the invention has an elongated handle, and means for mounting a blade of one type at an end of the handle. In accordance with an important feature of the invention, the mounting means includes means for preventing the mounting of a blade at a given end of the handle when a blade is already mounted at the opposing end of the handle. In particular, in an embodiment of the invention the handle includes a pair of elongated mateable handle elements which conform generally in shape. A pair of blade-engaging units, each of which may be, for example, a suitably sized key or nub, are respectively disposed near the opposing ends of one of the handle elements. A blade-securing pad is disposed near one (only) end of the other handle element. Means are provided for removably mating the handle elements with a blade mounted in one of the blade-engaging units. In this manner, the securing pad secures the blade against the engaging unit, and the absence of a securing pad at the other end prevents another blade from being secured at the other end. In a further embodiment of the invention, an obstruction is mounted at the other end of the other handle element, and insures against a blade being secured at said other end of said other handle element.