Utility Knife with Blade Magazine Allzweckmesser Mit Klingenmagazin Couteau Universel a Magasin a Lames

Europäisches Patentamt *EP000858383B1* (19) European Patent Ofﬁce

Ofﬁce européen des brevets (11) EP 0 858 383 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Date of publication and mention (51) Int Cl.7: B26B 5/00, B25G 1/08 of the grant of the patent: 16.08.2000 Bulletin 2000/33 (86) International application number: PCT/CA96/00696 (21) Application number: 96933297.2 (87) International publication number: (22) Date of ﬁling: 21.10.1996 WO 97/15425 (01.05.1997 Gazette 1997/19)

(54) UTILITY KNIFE WITH BLADE MAGAZINE ALLZWECKMESSER MIT KLINGENMAGAZIN COUTEAU UNIVERSEL A MAGASIN A LAMES

(84) Designated Contracting States: (72) Inventors: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC • SHEPHERD, Charles, G. NL PT SE Oakville, Ontario L6L 5A2 (CA) Designated Extension States: • FUNGER, Edward, A. AL LT LV RO SI Burlington, Ontario L7S 2J9 (CA)

(30) Priority: 26.10.1995 US 548941 (74) Representative: Gibson, Stewart Harry URQUHART-DYKES & LORD, (43) Date of publication of application: Three Trinity Court, 19.08.1998 Bulletin 1998/34 21-27 Newport Road Cardiff CF2 1AA (GB) (60) Divisional application: 99101506.6 / 0 916 458 (56) References cited: (73) Proprietor: The Nack Company Limited EP-A- 0 207 578 DE-U- 8 615 168 Markham, Ontario L37 9T1 (CA) GB-A- 2 050 227 GB-A- 2 161 737 NL-A- 8 103 593 US-A- 4 372 362 US-A- 4 552 043

Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). EP 0 858 383 B1

Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR) 1 EP 0 858 383 B1 2

Description mechanism also has a blade-engaging arm within the housing, whereby positioning of the actuator at the for- [0001] This invention relates to a knife according to ward position causes a blade carried by the arm to the preamble of claim 1 and as known from GB-A-2 050 project from the front end of the housing in an operative 227. These knives, commonly known as utility knives, 5 position, and movement of the actuator from the forward have a manually holdable housing carrying a thin cutting position to the rear position causes the blade to be re- blade which, in its operative position, projects forwardly tracted from the operative position into the housing and from the housing. Most blades for such knives are dou- into an empty slot in the magazine. The magazine is ro- ble-ended, that is to say have opposite ends which are tatable to move the retracted blade from the arm of the both operable as cutters so that, when one end is blunt- 10 transport mechanism and position a new blade from an- ed, the blade can be reversed so that the other end other slot onto the arm for subsequent movement by the forms the operative end. Such blades usually have a actuator to an operative position. trapezoidal shape with a lower cutting edge which meets [0007] The blade magazine may comprise a body ro- the inclined end edges of the blade to form acute cutting tatable about a longitudinal axis and having a front end points at each end. 15 and a rear end, the body having a series of radially and [0002] Utility knives are used for a variety of purposes longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced blade- where a hand-held tool with a sharp cutting blade is re- receiving slots for respectively receiving thin blades quired. When a blade has been used to an extent where having a cutting edge at at least one end thereof, each one or both ends is blunted, it is necessary to replace slot having an open front end to enable a blade therein the worn blade with a new blade. With most utility knives, 20 to be removed from the slot by forward movement the old blade is manually removed from the housing and through the front end of the slot. a new blade fitted. This is not only time consuming, but [0008] The rotatable body may comprise first and sec- also involves the danger of the operator being but by the ond parts, the first part having a first end portion with a old or the new blade. Attempts have been made to pro- series of radially and longitudinal extending circumfer- vide utility knives with a supply of new blades in the 25 entially spaced first slot-forming finger members, the housing and a manually operable mechanism which can first finger members extending in a longitudinal direction be operated to move a new blade into the operative po- from the first end portion to an opposite end of the first sition. However, for various reasons, such knives have part, and a second part having a second end portion with not proved to be particularly satisfactory in practice. a series of radially and longitudinal extending circumfer- [0003] Such a knife is disclosed in the above men- 30 entially spaced second slot-forming finger members, the tioned British Patent Application No. 2050227 published second finger members extending in a longitudinal di- January 7, 1981 and has a magazine in which the blades rection from the second end portion to an opposite end are stacked one on top of the other, a blade-changing of the second part. device being provided to pull a new blade from the top [0009] The first part is assembled with the second part of the stack and return the blade when used to the bot- 35 by longitudinal movement of the first finger members be- tom of the stack. However, this arrangement is very tween the second finger members to provide a blade cumbersome. receiving slot between each adjacent pair of first and [0004] It is therefore an object of the invention to pro- second finger members. Each slot is open at at least a vide an improved utility knife of this kind which has a front end thereof to enable a blade in the slot to be re- supply of new blades within the housing and which can 40 moved therefrom by the transport mechanism by longi- be easily operated to retract a used blade into the hous- tudinal sliding movement through the front end of the ing and move a new blade into the operative position. slot. [0005] According to the invention, a knife comprises [0010] The first finger members of the blade maga- a manually holdable housing having a front end and a zine may have front end portions slidably engaged over rear end, and a blade magazine removably mounted in 45 and supported by the end portion of the second part, the housing and rotatable about an axis parallel to a lon- and the second finger members may have front end por- gitudinal axis of the housing extending from the front end tions slidably engaged over and supported by the end to the rear end. The blade magazine has a series of ra- portion of the first part. dially and longitudinally extending circumferentially [0011] Each first and second finger member of the spaced blade-receiving slots for separately receiving 50 blade magazine may have a radially outer surface with thin blades having a cutting edge at at least one end a groove therein extending in a circumferential direction, thereof, each slot having an open front end to enable a the magazine also having a blade retaining ring with a blade therein to be removed from the magazine by for- circumferential gap surrounding the magazine except ward movement through the front end of the slot. for the gap and seated in the grooves of the first and [0006] The housing also carries a slidable transport 55 second fingers. The blade retaining ring is held in a non- mechanism having a manually engageable actuator rotatable manner in the housing with the circumferential projecting from the housing and slidable in a longitudinal gap aligned with the path of travel of the transport mech- direction between front and rear positions. The transport anism, whereby the arm of the transport mechanism can

2 3 EP 0 858 383 B1 4 enter the circumferential gap for the unloading of a used magazine also showing the transfer member and a blade from the arm and the loading of a new blade onto blade in dotted outline for ease of explanation, the arm. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the knife [0012] Each slot of the blade magazine may contain showing a blade in the magazine engaged by the a blade with a recess in a radially outer edge thereof, 5 transport mechanism, with the blade retaining ring passing through the recess Fig. 7 is a similar view showing the cutting blade of each blade. moved forwardly to the operative position by the [0013] At least one of the magazine parts may have transport mechanism, a stub shaft projecting longitudinally outwardly from an Fig. 8 is a sectional view along the line 8-8 of Fig. end portion thereof, and the housing may have a man- 10 7 showing the transport mechanism, and ually rotatable portion receiving the stub shaft in a rela- Fig. 9 is a sectional view along the line 9-9 of Fig. tively non-rotatable manner, whereby rotation of the 6 showing the blade guide members in the housing manually rotatable portion of the housing rotates the and the transport mechanism. magazine to cause a used blade on the arm of the transport mechanism to be removed therefrom and a new 15 [0019] Referring to the drawings, a utility knife 10 has blade to be attached thereto. a manually holdable housing 12 with a front end 14 and [0014] The housing may have a main body carrying a rear end 16. A blade magazine 18 is removably mount- the blade magazine and the transport mechanism, the ed in the housing 12 and is rotatable (in a manner which main body being formed in two longitudinally separable will be described later) about an axis parallel to the lon- portions, the housing portions having interlocking en- 20 gitudinal axis of the housing 12 extending from the front gagement adjacent the front end of the housing, and the end 14 to the rear end 16. The blade magazine 18 has housing also having an annular securing member sur- a series of radially and longitudinally extending circum- rounding the longitudinally separable housing portions ferentially spaced slot 20 for separately receiving thin adjacent the rear end of the housing to secure the lat- blades 22, these slots 20 being open at both ends. The erally separable housing portions together. 25 blades 22 are of a conventional kind with a trapezoidal [0015] The annular securing member may have a rear shape having (see especially Fig. 7) a lower cutting end cap rotatably secured thereto and relatively non-ro- edge 24 which meets the inclined end edges 26, 28 to tatably connected to the magazine, whereby manual ro- form sharp cutting points 30, 32 at each end. The upper tation of the rear end cap rotates the magazine to cause blade edge 34 is parallel to the lower cutting edge 24. a used blade on the arm of the transport mechanism to 30 The upper edge 34 has a recess 36 midway along its be removed therefrom and a new blade to be attached length, the recess 36 having a short initial straight por- thereto. tion 38 with parallel sides and a circular portion 40 at [0016] The transport mechanism may also have a the inner end of the straight portion 38. support surface extending forwardly and rearwardly of [0020] The housing 12 also carries a slidable trans- the arm to prevent rocking of a blade about the arm 35 port mechanism 42 which, as will also be described in when the blade is in the operative position or when the more detail later, has a manually engageable actuator blade is being moved between the magazine and a for- 44 projecting from the housing and slidable in a longitu- ward position. dinal direction between rear and front positions shown [0017] Also, the housing may have a rear portion of in Fig. 6 and 7 respectively. bulbous shape carrying the blade magazine, the bul- 40 [0021] The blade magazine 18 has a rotatable body bous shape rear portion having a size for ergonomically with two main parts 46, 48. The first part 46 has a hub- comfortable manual holding. like end portion 50 with a series of radially and longitu- [0018] One embodiment of the invention will now be dinal extending circumferentially spaced slot-forming described, by way of example, with reference to the ac- finger members 52. The finger members 52 extend in a companying drawings, of which: 45 longitudinal direction from the end portion 50 to the opposite end 54 of the first part 46. The finger member 52 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a utility knife in ac- extend longitudinally beyond the hub-like end portion 50 cordance with one embodiment of the invention, and their free ends form the opposite end 54 of the first Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the knife of Fig. 1, magazine part 46. The second part 48 has a hub-like Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view taken in the direction 50 end portion 56 with a series of radially and longitudinal of the arrow 3 in Fig. 2 showing how the housing extending circumferentially spaced second slot-forming portions interlock adjacent the front end of the hous- finger members 58 which extend in a longitudinal direc- ing, tion from the end portion 56 to the opposite end 60 of Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of the second part 48. The finger members 58 extend lon- Fig. 2 showing how the rear end cap co-operates 55 gitudinally beyond the hub-like end portion 56 and their with the annular securing ring at the rear end of the free ends form the opposite end 60 of the second mag- housing, azine part 48. The first and second finger member 52, Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the blade 58 each have a groove 61 midway along their radially

3 5 EP 0 858 383 B1 6 outer surface, the groove 61 extending in a circumfer- the two housing portions 72, 74, the tongue 76 on the ential direction. housing portion 72 is slid in to the groove 78 in the hous- [0022] The first magazine part 46 is assembled with ing portion 74 from the rear end of the groove 78. Except the second part 48 by longitudinal movement of the first for the tongue and groove formation 76, 78, the two finger members 52 between the second finger members 5 housing portions 72, 74 are mirror images of each other. 58 to produce a blade receiving slot 20 between each [0027] The rear ends of the housing portions 72, 74 adjacent pair of first and second finger members 52, 58. have external screw-threads 80, 82 respectively which During assembly, the end portions of the finger mem- combine to receive an internally threaded securing ring bers 52 of the first magazine part 46 slide over and are 84 which screws into engagement with the screw supported by the hub-like end portion 56 of the second 10 threads 80, 82 to secure the rear ends of the housing magazine part 48. Similarly, the end portions of the sec- portions 72, 74 together. ond finger member 58 of the second magazine part 48 [0028] The securing ring 84 has a rear end cap 86 ro- slide over and are supported by the hub-like end portion tatably secured thereto, the end cap 86 having an an- 50 of the first magazine part 46. When the magazine 18 nular shoulder 88 which snaps in to the rear end of se- is fully assembled in this manner, the hub-like end por- 15 curing ring 84 to effect the rotatable securing of the end tion 50 of the first magazine part 46 abuts the hub-like cap 86 to the securing ring 84. end portion 56 of the second magazine part 48, as [0029] The end cap 86 has a circumferential groove shown in Fig. 6, and the circumferentially extending 90 rearwardly of the shoulder 88 which receives a tab groove 61 in the finger members 52, 58 form a substan- 92 formed in securing ring 84. The circumferential tially continuous circumferential groove around the 20 groove 90 has detent slots 94 in its bottom surface, num- magazine 18 i.e. interrupted by the slots 20, see Fig. 5. bered as indicated in Fig. 2. The lower surface of the tab [0023] The assembly of the magazine is completed 92 on the securing ring 84 has a pip 96 (see Fig. 4) pro- by a blade-retaining ring 62, the ring 62 having a circum- jecting downwardly therefrom. The pip 96 is engageable ferential gap 64. The ring 62 is slid along the two assem- in the slots 94 in the end cap groove 90 to positively bled magazine parts 46, 48 from one end thereof until 25 locate the end cap 86 in predetermined rotary positions the ring 62 snaps into the circumferentially extending relative to the securing ring 84 for a purpose which will groove 60. The blades 22 are then loaded one at a time be described later. into the respective slots 20, with the blade-retaining ring [0030] The transport mechanism 42 has a main body 62 being moved around to position the gap 64 in align- member 100 with laterally extending wing portions 102, ment with the slot 20 into which a blade 22 is to be load- 30 104 which slide along longitudinally extending ledges ed. 106, 108 on the housing portion 72, 74 respectively. A [0024] As can be seen from Fig. 5, the circumferential leg 110 extends downwardly from main body member width of the gap 64 in the blade-retaining ring 62 is equal 100 and has a transversely extending arcuate blade car- to the spacing between the blade-receiving slots 20. A rier arm 112 at its lower end. The blade carrier arm 112 blade 22 is located in each slot 20 except one, namely 35 can move in to the gap 64 in the blade retaining ring 62, the upper slot 20 in Fig. 5. The upper end of each blade and has a similar cross-section to the ring 62 except that 22 projects slightly above the circumferential periphery the lower surface 114 of the blade carrier arm 112 is flat of the magazine 18 and the retaining ring 62 passes and located at a level which positions the surface 114 through the circular recesses 40 in each blade 22, there- above the grooves 60 in the finger members 52, 58 of by holding the blades 22 in the slots 20 with their lower 40 the first and second magazine parts 46, 48. cutting edges 24 slightly spaced from the hub-like end [0031] The main body member 100 also has a rear- portion 50, 56 of the first and second magazine parts ward extension 116 carrying a post 118. A coil spring 46, 48. 120 surrounds and projects above the post 118. The [0025] Each hub-like end portion 50, 56 has a longi- lower end of the coil spring 120 is supported by the body tudinally projecting stub shaft 66, 68 respectively of 45 member extension 116 and the upper end of the spring square section, and the blade-retaining ring 62 has a 120 carries the manually engageable actuator 44. As radially outwardly projecting retainer 70 a position dia- shown, the upper end of the spring 120 extends in to a metrically opposite the circumferential gap 64. The pur- recess 122 in the underside of actuator 44. The actuator pose of the stub shaft 66, 68 and the retainer 70 will be 44 has a pair of laterally extending projections 124, 126 described later. 50 which normally slide beneath longitudinal extending [0026] The housing 12 is formed in two longitudinally downwardly facing shoulders 128, 130 in housing por- separable portions 72, 74, as most clearly shown in Fig. tion 72, 74 respectively for movement between forward 2. The housing portion 72, 74 have interlocking engage- and rear positions. The housing portion 74 has four lon- ment adjacent the front end 14 of the housing 12, see gitudinally spaced recesses 132, 134, 136, 138, 139 ex- Figs. 2 and 3. As shown, the interlocking engagement 55 tending upwardly from the shoulders 128, 130 and into is provided by a tongue and groove type connection, each of which the actuator 44 can be pushed by the with the housing portion 72 providing a tongue 76 and spring 120 to lock the transport mechanism 42 in any the housing portion 74 having a groove 78. To assemble one of four predetermined positions as will be described

4 7 EP 0 858 383 B1 8 in more detail later. The housing portion 72 has four sim- the pip 96 on the tab 92 and the next slot 94 receives ilar recesses (not shown). The transport member 100 the pip 96, to rotate the magazine 18 through one incre- has a nose portion 140 at its leading end which is ment, i.e. to slide a blade 22 off the retaining ring 62 and shaped to conform with the configuration of the front end onto the blade carrying arm 112, as shown in Figs. 6 and 14 of the housing 12 when the transport member 100 is 5 9. The end cap 86 is provided with a finger grip 160 to in its foremost position, and the housing portion 72, 74 enable such rotation to be easily effected. form an opening 142 (see Fig. 3) to receive the nose [0037] The actuator 44 is then slid forwardly, while be- portion 140. ing held down, to the foremost position until projections [0032] The housing portion 74 has a vertically spaced 124, 126 reach recess 132 in housing portion 174 and pair of guide members 144, 146 which guide the blade 10 the corresponding recess in housing portion 72 at the 22 during travel to the operative position as will also be forward end of the housing 12. During this movement, described in more detail later. The housing portion 74 the transport member 100 carries the blade 22 forwardly has similar guide members 145, 147. The housing por- out of its slot 20 and to the operative position shown in tion 72 also has a semi-circular recess 148 which, to- Fig. 7, where the front part of the blade 22 projects from gether with a similar recess 149 in housing portion 72, 15 the front end of the housing 12. During the forward form a bearing in which the forward stub shaft 66 of the movement, the blade 22 is guided by the guide mem- magazine 18 can rotate. The rotatable end cap 86 has bers 144, 146 and 145, 147. If less projection of the a square shaped recess 150 centrally located in its inner blade 22 is desired, the actuator 44 may be engaged in surface to receive the rear stub shaft 68 of the magazine one of two more rearwardly positions defined by recess- 18 in relatively non-rotatable relationship. 20 es 136, 138 in housing portion 74 and the corresponding [0033] The housing portion 72, 74 have recesses 154, recesses in housing portions 72. If it is wished to tem- 156 at the rear end of their lower edges which form a porarily retract the blade 22, the actuator 44 is moved slot 158 extending forwardly from the rear end 16 of back to recess 138 in housing portion 74 and the corre- housing 12 to receive the projection 70 on blade retain- sponding recess in housing portion 72. It will be noted ing ring 62, as will be described in more detail later. 25 that the blade 22 is prevented from rocking by engage- [0034] Before describing the operation of the utility ment of its upper edge 34 with the lower surface 162 of knife, it should be noted that the two housing portions a transport member 100, see Figs. 6 and 7. 72, 74 co-operate to provide a housing 12 with a rear [0038] To change the blade 22, for example when its portion 152 of bulbous shape in which the magazine 18 forward end is blunt, the actuator 46 is slid back to the is located, the bulbous shape 152 having a size and 30 rearmost position so that the blunt blade 22 is returned shape for ergonomically comfortable holding in the to its original slot 20. The magazine 18 is then rotated hand. through a further increment rotation of the end cap 86 [0035] To load the knife, the end cap 86 is snapped to the next number shown thereon, thereby causing the out from the housing 12 by insertion of a suitable tool in blunt blade 22 to be moved off blade carrier arm 112 and slot 87 in securing ring 84, and a loaded magazine 18 35 onto blade retaining member 62. At the same time, a is inserted in to the rear end of housing 12 so that the new blade 22 is moved on to the blade carrier arm 112 front stub shaft 66 enters the bearing formed by the re- and can be moved to the operative position by depres- cesses 148, 149 in the housing portions 74, 72 respec- sion and forward movement of the actuator 44. tively. It will be noted that stub shaft 66 can freely rotate [0039] When all the blades 22 in the magazine 18 therein. Projection 70 on blade retaining ring 62 enters 40 have been used, i.e. the magazine 18 has been rotated slot 158 at the bottom of the housing 12, and is thereby through 360°, the magazine 18 can be taken out of the prevented from rotation. Securing ring 84 has a slot 89 housing 12 and reversed so that the other ends of the aligned with slot 158 to enable projection 70 to pass blades 22 can then be used. It is of course for this reason through the securing ring 84. End cap 86 is then that slots 20 are open at both ends. After that, a new snapped back into securing ring 84. 45 magazine 18 is used. [0036] The actuator 44 is then depressed to release [0040] The advantages of the invention will be readily the projections 124, 126 from the recess 132 in the apparent from the foregoing description of a preferred housing portion 74 and the corresponding recess in the embodiment. Other embodiments of the invention will housing portion 72 and is slid back to its rearmost posi- also be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art, tion, i.e. adjacent the rear end of the housing 12, so that 50 the scope of the invention being defined in the appended the blade carrier arm 112 on the transport member 100 claims. moves in to the gap 64 in the blade retaining ring member 62, see Fig. 5. In this position, the projections 124, 126 are engaged in the rearmost recess 139 in the hous- Claims ing portion 74 and the corresponding recess in the hous- 55 ing portion 72 to lock the transport mechanism 42 in the 1. A knife comprising: rearmost or "docking" position. The end cap 86 is then rotated through one "click" i.e. so that one slot 94 leaves a manually holdable housing (12) having a front

5 9 EP 0 858 383 B1 10

end (14) and a rear end (16), and a blade mag- direction from said second end portion (56) to azine (18) removably mounted in the housing, an opposite end of said second part, the housing also carrying a slidable transport said first part (46) having been assembled with mechanism (42) having a manually engagea- said second part (48) by longitudinal movement ble actuator (44) projecting from the housing 5 of the first finger members (52) between the and slidable in a longitudinal direction between second finger members (58) to provide a blade front and rear positions, the transport mecha- receiving slot (20) between each adjacent pair nism (42) also having a blade-engaging arm of first and second finger members (56,58), (112) within the housing, each slot (20) being open at at least a front end whereby position of the slidable transport 10 thereof to enable a blade (22) in the slot (20) to mechanism (42 at its front position causes a be removed therefrom by the transport mecha- blade (22) carried by the arm (112) to project nism (44) by longitudinal sliding movement from the front end (14) of the housing (12) in an through said front end of the slot. operative position, and movement of the slidable transport mechanism (42) from the front po- 15 3. A knife according to claim 2, characterized in that sition to the rear position causes the blade (22) the first finger members (52) of the blade magazine to be retracted from the operative position into (18) have front end portions slidably engaged over the housing and into the magazine (18), and supported by the end portion (56) of the second part (48), and the second finger members (58) have characterized in that the blade magazine (18) 20 front end portions slidably engaged over and sup- is rotatable about an axis parallel to a longitudinal ported by the end portion (50) of the first part (40). axis of the housing (12) extending from the front end (14) to the rear end (16), 4. A knife according to claim 2, characterized in that the first and second finger members (52,58) of the the blade magazine (18) having a series of ra- 25 blade magazine (18) are formed with a groove (61) dially and longitudinally extending circumferen- therein extending in a circumferential direction, said tially spaced blade-receiving slots (20) for sep- magazine (18) also having a blade retaining ring arately receiving thin blades (22) having a cut- (62) with a circumferential gap (64), said retaining ting edge (24) at at least one end thereof, each ring surrounding the magazine except for the gap slot (20) having an open front end to enable a 30 and seated in the grooves (61) of the first and sec- blade therein to be removed from the magazine ond finger members (52,58), said blade retaining (18) by forward movement through the front ring (62) being held in a non-rotatable manner in the end of the slot (20), housing (12) with the circumferential gap (64) the magazine (18) being rotatable, when the sl- aligned with the path of travel of the transport mech- idable transport mechanism (42) is in its rear 35 anism (42), whereby the arm (112) of the transport position, to move the retracted blade (22) from mechanism (42) can enter the circumferential gap the arm (112) of the transport mechanism (42) (64) for unloading of a used blade (22) from the arm and at the same time position a new blade from (112) and the loading of a new blade on to the arm another slot in the magazine (18) onto the arm (112). (112) for subsequent movement by the slidable 40 transport mechanism (42) to an operative posi- 5. A knife according to claim 4, characterized in that tion. each slot (20) of the blade magazine (18) contains a blade (220 with a recess (40) in a radial edge 2. A knife according to claim 1, characterized in that thereof, and said blade retaining ring (62) passes the blade magazine (18) comprises: 45 through the recess (40) of each blade.

a first part (46) having a first end portion (50) 6. A knife according to claim 2, characterized in that with a series of radially and longitudinally ex- at least one of the magazine parts (46,48) has a tending circumferentially spaced first slot-form- stub shaft (66,68) projecting longitudinally outward- ing finger members (52), said first finger mem- 50 ly from an end portion thereof, and said housing (12) bers (52) extending in a longitudinal direction has a manually rotatable portion (86) receiving the from said first end portion (50) to an opposite stub shaft in a relatively non-rotatable manner, end of the said first part, and whereby rotation of the manually rotatable portion a second part (48) having a second end portion (86) of the housing (12) rotates the magazine (18) (56) with a series of radially and longitudinally 55 to cause a used blade (22) on the arm (112) of the extending circumferentially spaced second transport mechanism (42) to be removed therefrom slot-forming finger members (58), said second and a new blade to be attached thereto. finger members (58) extending in a longitudinal

6 11 EP 0 858 383 B1 12

7. A knife according to claim 1, characterized in that ragt, und Bewegung des verschiebbaren the housing (12) has a main body carrying the blade Transportmechanismus (42) aus der vorderen magazine (18) and the transport mechanism (42), Position in die hintere Position bewirkt, daß die said main body being formed in two longitudinally Klinge (22) aus der Einsatzstellung in das Ge- separable portions (72,74), said housing portions 5 häuse und in das Magazin (18) zurückgezogen (72,74) having interlocking engagement adjacent wird, the front end of the housing, and said housing (12) also having an annular securing member (84) sur- dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Klingen- rounding the longitudinally separable housing por- magazin (18) um eine parallel zur Längsachse des tions (72,74) adjacent the rear end (16) of the hous- 10 Gehäuses (12) verlaufende Achse, die sich von ing (12) to secure said laterally separable housing dem vorderen Ende (14) zu dem hinteren Ende (16) portions (72,74) together. erstreckt, drehbar ist,

8. A knife according to claim 7, characterized in that wobei das Klingenmagazin (18) eine Reihe von the annular securing member (84) has a rear end 15 radial und in Längsrichtung verlaufenden, um cap (86) rotatably secured thereto and relatively den Umfang beabstandeten Klingenaufnahme- non-rotatably connected to the magazine (18) to schlitzen (20) zur getrennten Aufnahme dünner cause a used blade (22) on the arm (112) of the Klingen (22) aufweist, die an mindestens einem transport mechanism (42) to be removed therefrom Ende davon eine Schneidkante (24) aufweisen, and a new blade to be attached thereto. 20 wobei jeder Schlitz (20) ein offenes vorderes Ende aufweist, um zu gestatten, daß eine Klin- 9. A knife according to claim 1, characterized in that ge darin durch Vorwärtsbewegung durch das the transport mechanism (42) also has a blade sup- vordere Ende des Schlitzes (20) aus dem Ma- port surface (162) extending forwardly and rear- gazin (18) entfernt werden kann, wardly of the arm (112) to prevent rocking of a blade 25 wobei das Magazin (18) drehbar ist, wenn sich (22) about the arm (112) when the blade is in the der verschiebbare Transportmechanismus (42) operative position or when the blade is being moved in seiner hinteren Position beﬁndet, um die zu- between the magazine (18) and a forward position. rückgezogene Klinge (22) von dem Arm (112) des Transportmechanismus (42) zu bewegen 10. A knife according to claim 1, characterized in that 30 und gleichzeitig eine neue Klinge aus einem said housing (12) has a rear portion (152) of bul- anderen Schlitz in dem Magazin (18) an den bous shape carrying the blade magazine (18), said Arm (112) zur anschließenden Bewegung bulbous shape rear portion (152) having a size for durch den verschiebbaren Transportmechanis- ergonomically comfortable holding. mus (42) in eine Einsatzstellung zu positionie- 35 ren.

Patentansprüche 2. Messer nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Klingenmagazin (18) folgendes umfaßt: 1. Messer, das folgendes umfaßt: 40 ein erstes Teil (46) mit einem ersten Endteil ein manuell festhaltbares Gehäuse (12) mit ei- (50), der eine Reihe von sich radial und in nem vorderen Ende (14) und einem hinteren Längsrichtung erstreckenden, um den Umfang Ende (16) und einem entfernbar in dem Gehäu- beabstandeten ersten schlitzbildenden Finger- se angebrachten Klingenmagazin (18), gliedern (52) aufweist, wobei sich die ersten wobei das Gehäuse des weiteren einen ver- 45 Fingerglieder (52) in einer Längsrichtung von schiebbaren Transportmechanismus (42) mit dem ersten Endteil (50) zu einem gegenüber- einem manuell in Eingriff bringbaren Betäti- liegenden Ende des ersten Teils erstrecken, gungsglied (44), das aus dem Gehäuse ragt und und in einer Längsrichtung zwischen einer vor- ein zweites Teil (48) mit einem zweiten Endteil deren und hinteren Position verschiebbar ist, 50 (56), der eine Reihe von sich radial und in trägt, wobei der Transportmechanismus (42) Längsrichtung erstreckenden, um den Umfang des weiteren einen Klingeneingriffsarm (112) in beabstandeten zweiten schlitzbildenden Fin- dem Gehäuse aufweist, gergliedern (58) aufweist, wobei sich die zwei- wobei die Stellung des verschiebbaren Trans- ten Fingerglieder (58) in einer Längsrichtung portmechanismus (42) in seiner vorderen Po- 55 von dem zweiten Endteil (56) zu einem gegen- sition bewirkt, daß eine durch den Arm (112) überliegenden Ende des zweiten Teils erstrek- getragene Klinge (22) in Einsatzstellung aus ken, dem vorderen Ende (14) des Gehäuses (12) wobei das erste Teil (46) durch Längsbewe-

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gung der ersten Fingerglieder (52) zwischen eine benutzte Klinge (22) am Arm (112) des Trans- den zweiten Fingergliedern (58) zur Bildung ei- portmechanismus (42) davon entfernt und eine nes Klingenaufnahmeschlitzes (20) zwischen neue Klinge daran befestigt wird. jedem benachbarten Paar erster und zweiter Fingerglieder (56, 58) mit dem zweiten Teil (48) 5 7. Messer nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, zusammengefügt wurde, daß das Gehäuse (12) einen das Klingenmagazin wobei jeder Schlitz (20) mindestens an einem (18) und den Transportmechanismus (42) tragen- vorderen Ende davon offen ist, um zu gestat- den Hauptkörper aufweist, der in zwei in Längsrich- ten, daß eine Klinge (22) in dem Schlitz (20) tung trennbare Teile (72, 74) ausgebildet ist, wobei durch den Transportmechanismus (44) durch 10 die Gehäuseteile (72, 74) neben dem vorderen En- eine in Längsrichtung verlaufende Schiebebe- de des Gehäuses formschlüssig ineinandergreifen wegung durch das vordere Ende des Schlitzes und wobei das Gehäuse (12) des weiteren ein ring- daraus entfernt werden kann. förmiges Befestigungsglied (84) aufweist, das die in Längsrichtung trennbaren Gehäuseteile (72, 74) 3. Messer nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, 15 neben dem hinteren Ende (16) des Gehäuses (12) daß die ersten Fingerglieder (52) des Klingenma- umgibt und so die seitlich trennbaren Gehäuseteile gazins (18) vordere Endteile aufweisen, die den (72, 74) aneinander befestigt. Endteil (56) des zweiten Teils (48) gleitend über- greifen und davon gestützt werden, und die zweiten 8. Messer nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, Fingerglieder (58) vordere Endteile aufweisen, die 20 daß das ringförmige Befestigungsglied (84) eine den Endteil (50) des ersten Teils (40) gleitend über- hintere Endkappe (86) aufweist, die drehbar daran greifen und davon gestützt werden. befestigt und mit dem Magazin (18) relativ nicht- drehbar verbunden ist, um zu bewirken, daß eine 4. Messer nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, benutzte Klinge (22) am Arm (112) des Transport- daß die ersten und die zweiten Fingerglieder (52, 25 mechanismus (42) davon entfernt und eine neue 58) des Klingenmagazins (18) mit einer Nut (61) Klinge daran befestigt wird. darin ausgebildet sind, die in einer Umfangsrich- tung verläuft, wobei das Magazin (18) des weiteren 9. Messer nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, einen Klingenhaltering (62) mit einem Umfangs- daß der Transportmechanismus (42) des weiteren spalt (64) aufweist, wobei der Haltering das Maga- 30 eine Klingenstützﬂäche (162) aufweist, die sich von zin mit Ausnahme des Spalts umgibt und in den Nu- dem Arm (112) nach vorne und nach hinten er- ten (61) der ersten und der zweiten Fingerglieder streckt, um ein Schwingen der Klinge (22) um den (52, 58) angeordnet ist, wobei der Klingenhaltering Arm (112) herum, wenn sich die Klinge in der Ein- (62) auf nichtdrehbare Weise in dem Gehäuse (12) satzstellung beﬁndet oder wenn die Klinge zwi- festgehalten wird, wobei der Umfangsspalt (64) auf 35 schen dem Magazin (18) und einer Vorwärtspositi- den Laufweg des Transportmechanismus (42) aus- on bewegt wird, zu verhindern. gerichtet ist, wodurch der Arm (112) des Transport- mechanismus (42) zum Entladen einer benutzten 10. Messer nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, Klinge (22) von dem Arm (112) und dem Laden ei- daß das Gehäuse (12) einen knollenförmigen hin- ner neuen Klinge an den Arm (112) in den Umfangs- 40 teren Teil (152) aufweist, der das Klingenmagazin spalt (64) eindringen kann. (18) trägt und für ergonomisch bequemes Festhal- ten dimensioniert ist. 5. Messer nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß jeder Schlitz (20) des Klingenmagazins (18) eine Klinge (220) mit einer Aussparung (40) in einer 45 Revendications radialen Kante davon enthält und sich der Klingen- haltering (62) durch die Aussparung (40) jeder Klin- 1. Couteau, comprenant : ge erstreckt. un logement (12) pouvant être tenu dans la 6. Messer nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, 50 main, ayant une extrémité avant (14) et une ex- daß mindestens eines der Magazinteile (46, 48) ei- trémité arrière (16), et un magasin à lames (18) nen Wellenstumpf (66, 68) aufweist, der in Längs- monté de manière amovible dans le logement, richtung aus einem Endteil davon nach außen ragt, le logement portant également un mécanisme und das Gehäuse (12) einen manuell drehbaren Teil de transport coulissant (42) ayant un action- (86) aufweist, der den Wellenstumpf auf eine relativ 55 neur (44) pouvant être engagé manuellement, nichtdrehbare Weise aufnimmt, wodurch eine Dre- faisant saillie depuis le logement et pouvant hung des manuell drehbaren Teils (86) des Gehäu- coulisser dans une direction longitudinale entre ses (12) das Magazin (18) dreht und so bewirkt, daß des positions avant et arrière, le mécanisme de

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transport (42) ayant également un bras (112) s'étendant radialement et longitudinalement, d'engagement de lame à l'intérieur du loge- lesdits deuxièmes éléments de doigts (58) ment, s'étendant dans une direction longitudinale de- grâce à quoi le positionnement du mécanisme puis ladite deuxième portion d'extrémité (56) de transport coulissant (42) au niveau de sa po- 5 jusqu'à une extrémité opposée de ladite sition avant entraîne la sortie d'une lame (22) deuxième partie, portée par le bras (112) depuis l'extrémité avant ladite première partie (46) ayant été assemblée (14) du logement (12) dans une position fonc- avec ladite deuxième partie (48) par déplace- tionnelle, et le mouvement du mécanisme de ment longitudinal des premiers éléments de transport coulissant (42) depuis la position 10 doigts (52) entre les deuxièmes éléments de avant vers la position arrière entraîne le retrait doigts (58) pour fournir une fente de réception de la lame (22) depuis la position fonctionnelle de lames (20) entre chaque paire adjacente de dans le logement et dans le magasin (18), premiers et deuxièmes éléments de doigts (56, 58), caractérisé en ce que le magasin à lames (18) 15 chaque fente (20) étant ouverte au moins au est susceptible de tourner autour d'un axe parallèle niveau d'une extrémité avant de celle-ci pour à un axe longitudinal du logement (12) s'étendant permettre à une lame (22) dans la fente (20) depuis l'extrémité avant (14) vers l'extrémité arrière d'être retirée de celle-ci par le mécanisme de (16), transport (44) par mouvement de coulissement 20 longitudinal à travers ladite extrémité avant de le magasin à lames (18) ayant une série de fen- la fente. tes de réception de lames (20) espacées cir- conférentiellement et s'étendant radialement et 3. Couteau selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce longitudinalement destinées à recevoir séparé- que les premiers éléments de doigts (52) du maga- ment des lames minces (22) ayant une arête 25 sin à lames (18) ont des portions d'extrémité avant de coupe (24) au niveau d'au moins une de engagées à coulissement par-dessus et suppor- leurs extrémités, chaque fente (20) ayant une tées par la portion d'extrémité (56) de la deuxième extrémité avant ouverte pour permettre à une partie (48), et les deuxièmes éléments de doigts lame qui s'y trouve d'être retirée du magasin (58) ont des portions d'extrémité avant engagées à (18) en avançant à travers l'extrémité avant de 30 coulissement par-dessus et supportées par la por- la fente (20), tion d'extrémité (50) de la première partie (40). le magasin (18) étant susceptible de tourner, lorsque le mécanisme de transport coulissant 4. Couteau selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce (42) est dans sa position arrière, pour enlever que les premiers et deuxièmes éléments de doigts la lame rentrée (22) du bras (112) du mécanis- 35 (52, 58) du magasin à lames (18) sont formés avec me de transport (42) et en même temps posi- une rainure (61) s'étendant dans une direction cir- tionner une nouvelle lame provenant d'une conférentielle, ledit magasin (18) ayant également autre fente dans le magasin (18) sur le bras une bague de retenue de lames (62) avec un espa- (112) pour permettre son déplacement subsé- ce circonférentiel (64), ladite bague de retenue en- quent par le mécanisme de transport coulissant 40 tourant le magasin sauf au niveau de l'espace et (42) dans une position fonctionnelle. étant reçue dans les rainures (61) des premiers et deuxièmes éléments de doigts (52, 58), ladite ba- 2. Couteau selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce gue de retenue de lames (62) étant maintenue de que le magasin à lames (18) comprend : manière ﬁxe en rotation dans le logement (12), l'es- 45 pace circonférentiel (64) étant aligné avec la trajec- une première partie (46) ayant une première toire du mécanisme de transport (42), le bras (112) portion d'extrémité (50) avec une série de pre- du mécanisme de transport (42) pouvant ainsi en- miers éléments de doigts (52) formant des fen- trer dans l'espace circonférentiel (64) pour déchar- tes, espacés circonférentiellement et s'éten- ger une lame usée (22) du bras (112) et charger une dant radialement et longitudinalement, lesdits 50 nouvelle lame sur le bras (112). premiers éléments de doigts (52) s'étendant dans une direction longitudinale depuis ladite 5. Couteau selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce première portion d'extrémité (50) jusqu'à une que chaque fente (20) du magasin à lames (18) extrémité opposée de ladite première partie, et contient une lame (220) avec un retrait (40) dans une deuxième partie (48) ayant une deuxième 55 un bord radial de celle-ci, et ladite bague de retenue portion d'extrémité (56) avec une série de de lames (62) passe à travers le retrait (40) de cha- deuxièmes éléments de doigts (58) formant que lame. des fentes, espacés circonférentiellement et

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6. Couteau selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins une des parties de magasin (46, 48) a un tronçon d'arbre (66, 68) saillant longitudinalement vers l'extérieur depuis une portion d'extrémité de celle-ci, et ledit logement (12) a une portion (86) 5 susceptible de tourner manuellement, recevant le tronçon d'arbre d'une manière relativement ﬁxe en rotation, la rotation de la portion (86) du logement (12) susceptible de tourner manuellement faisant ainsi tourner le magasin (18) pour entraîner le retrait 10 d'une lame (22) usée sur le bras (112) du mécanis- me de transport (42) et la ﬁxation d'une nouvelle lame sur celui-ci.

7. Couteau selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce 15 que le logement (12) a un corps principal portant le magasin à lames (18) et le mécanisme de transport (42), ledit corps principal étant formé de deux portions (72, 74) pouvant être séparées longitudinalement, lesdites portions de logement (72, 74) ayant 20 un engagement par verrouillage réciproque au niveau de l'extrémité avant du logement, et ledit logement (12) ayant également un élément de fixation annulaire (84) entourant les portions de logement (72, 74) pouvant être séparées longitudinale- 25 ment au niveau de l'extrémité arrière (16) du logement (12) pour fixer ensemble lesdites portions de logement (72, 74) pouvant être séparées latérale- ment. 30 8. Couteau selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que l'élément de fixation annulaire (84) a un capu- chon (86) à l'extrémité arrière, fixé en rotation à celui-ci et connecté relativement fixement en rotation au magasin (18) pour entraîner le retrait de celui-ci 35 d'une lame usée (22) sur le bras (112) du mécanis- me de transport (42) et la fixation sur celui-ci d'une nouvelle lame.

9. Couteau selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce 40 que le mécanisme de transport (42) a également une surface de support de lames (162) s'étendant vers l'avant et vers l'arrière du bras (112) pour em- pêcher le basculement d'une lame (22) autour du bras (112) lorsque la lame est dans la position fonc- 45 tionnelle ou lorsque la lame est déplacée entre le magasin (18) et une position avant.

10. Couteau selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit logement (12) a une portion arrière (152) 50 de forme bombée portant le magasin à lames (18), ladite portion arrière de forme bombée (152) ayant une dimension adaptée à une prise en main confor- table du point de vue ergonomique. 55

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