Utility instrument and a method of using same
OwnerJeff Hogginventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A utility instrument is in the form of a cutting tool suitable for fitting onto a user's finger. The tool has a blade and a sheath, both coupled to a mounting structure. The blade and sheath are pivotable with respect to each other. A user can wear the tool on a finger about a finger joint. The user can bend the finger to set the tool to an open condition to expose the blade for use, and can stretching the finger to set the tool to a closed condition to safely shade the blade using the sheath. The tool may further have a housing for fully receiving the blade. The blade may extend out of the housing for use, and may be retracted into the housing for safety.
Claims16
An apparatus attachable to an appendage about a joint thereof, said appendage having a distal side and a proximal side pivotable with respect to each other about the joint, the apparatus comprising:
- a mounting structure removably attachable to the proximal side of the appendage about the joint;
- a housing coupled to a first portion of the mounting structure;
- a blade received in the housing and longitudinally movable for extending out of the housing and retracting thereinto, the blade having a cutting edge facing to a bottom wall of the housing;
- an actuation member laterally extending out of the housing through a window of the housing, the actuation member coupled to the blade and longitudinally movable for actuating the blade out of the housing;
- and
- two release buttons coupled to the blade and extending out of the housing from opposite sidewalls thereof for retracting the blade into the housing;
- wherein the apparatus is in a retracted condition when the blade is retracted into the housing;
- wherein the apparatus is in a closed condition and the cutting edge of the blade is in proximity with the distal side of the appendage when the blade extends out of the housing and when the distal side of the appendage and the first portion of the mounting structure are at a first angle;
- wherein the apparatus is in an open condition and the cutting edge of the blade is away from the distal side of the appendage when the blade extends out of the housing and when the distal side of the appendage and the first portion of the mounting structure are at a second angle larger than the first angle;
- and
- wherein each release button engages a lateral spring.
A part of a cutting apparatus attachable to an appendage about a joint thereof, the part comprising:
- a housing for removably attaching to the appendage about the joint thereof via a mounting structure;
- a blade received in the housing and longitudinally movable for extending out of the housing and retracting thereinto, the blade having a cutting edge facing to a bottom wall of the housing;
- an actuation member laterally extending out of the housing, the actuation member coupled to the blade and longitudinally movable for actuating the blade out of the housing;
- at least one release button each laterally extending out of the housing and configured for retracting the blade into the housing;
- a blade carrier longitudinally movably received in the housing and coupled to the actuation member and the blade;
- a longitudinal spring received in the housing and coupled to the blade carrier for biasing the blade into the housing;
- a carrier base received in the housing and engageable with the blade carrier for determining the longitudinal position of the blade;
- and
- at least one lateral spring coupled to the carrier base for biasing the carrier base at a position engaging the blade carrier;
- wherein the at least one release button is coupled to the carrier base and is configured for, when under a lateral pressure, laterally overcoming the bias of the at least one lateral spring and disengaging the carrier base and the blade carrier so as to allow the longitudinal spring to retract the blade into the housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.