US5377413A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Retracting cutter
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1993-05-11
•
Granted: 1995-01-03
•
Expires: 2013-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A knife is disclosed having a self-retracting, adjustable blade. The handle of the knife has two pieces which when compressed expose the blade for use.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph H. Masse
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:21
CPC Classifications
B; B26; B26B; B26B3/00; A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/3209; A61B17/3211; B26B5/00; A61B2017/32113; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S7/00; Y10S7/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
An adjustable self-retracting instrument comprising: (a) a primary functional section of said instrument; (b) a first curved leg having upper and lower ends, said section being located at the lower end of said first leg; and (c) a second shorter less curved leg having upper and lower ends, wherein at least one leg is made from a resilient material, said second leg being attached to said first leg at the upper end and resting against said section, whereby when said legs are compressed together said section extends beyond said second leg.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
An adjustable self-retracting instrument comprising: (a) a primary functional section of said instrument; (b) a first curved leg having upper and lower ends, said section being located at the lower end of said first leg; and (c) a second shorter less curved leg having upper and lower ends, wherein at least one leg is made from a resilient material, said second leg being attached to said first leg at the upper end and resting against said section, whereby when said legs are compressed together said section extends beyond said second leg.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said section is chosen from the group consisting of points, blades and probes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said instrument is a knife and said section is a blade.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said first curved leg has at least one straight section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The instrument of claim 4 wherein said leg has two straight sections which form a nonstraight angle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein said first leg further comprises: a blade; a key block; and a curved section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The instrument of claim 6 wherein said blade further comprises: a scalpel blade having a slot, and said key block has a projection for engaging said slot.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The instrument of claim 7 wherein said key block has a groove and said curved section has at least one lip, said groove receiving said lip.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The instrument of claim 8 wherein said curved section has two lips and said second leg has an opening for receiving said lips.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The instrument of claim 6 wherein said second leg has a slot for resting said blade in.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The instrument of claim 10 wherein said second arm further comprises a plate for covering a portion of said blade slot.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The instrument of claim 6 wherein said curved section is detachable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The instrument of claim 12 wherein said curved section has at least one lip and said second leg has an opening for receiving said lip.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The instrument of claim 6 further comprising: means for controlling the depth of a cut made by said blade.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The instrument of claim 14 wherein said means further comprises: a threaded controller located in said second leg.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The instrument of claim 6 wherein at least one leg is textured
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The instrument of claim 6 wherein said lower ends of said legs are angled to facilitate holding said knife at an angle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1371939A
Cited
US2589501A
Cited
US4452106A
Cited
US4484368A
Cited
US4890351A
Cited
US5208983A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-01-02 | 1998-07-04 | 1999-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-02 | 2002-07-04 | 2003-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-02 | 2006-07-04 | 2007-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |