US 20030192191A1

(19) United States

(2) Wong
Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0192191 A1
(43) Pub. Date: Oct. 16, 2003
(54) BATTERY-POWERED CARVING KNIFE Publication Classification
HAVING A RECHARGEABLE BATTERY
PACK (51) Int. CI.7. ... B26B 15/00
(52) U.S. Cl. 30/277.4
(76) Inventor: Steve Wong, Kowloon Bay (HK) (57) ABSTRACT
Correspondence Address: A battery-powered carving knife is shown having a housing
BAKER & DANIELS
205 W. JEFFERSON BOULEVARD and a switch, which connects and disconnects a battery to a
SUITE 250 motor. A drive mechanism including a worm gear together
SOUTH BEND, IN 46601 (US) with a cam member causes reciprocation of reciprocating
blade mounts to reciprocate back and forth in an out of phase
(21) Appl. No.: 10/242,889 fashion. The motor is positioned forward within the housing
in motor receiving section, with the drive shaft of the motor
(22) Filed: Sep. 13, 2002 facing rearwardly. The blade mounts are driven by the
motor, and reciprocate in a position below the motor. The
Related U.S. Application Data motor and blade mounts are positioned in front of a handgrip
section, thereby improving the ergonomics of the device.
(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/122,887, Alternatively, the drive shaft can be positioned facing for
filed on Apr. 15, 2002. ward.
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US 2003/0192191 A1 Oct. 16, 2003

BATTERY-POWERED CARVING KNIFE HAVING A [0012] FIG. 5 is a side plan view of the left reciprocating
RECHARGEABLE BATTERY PACK blade mount, that is, the one viewed in FIG. 3;
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent [0013] FIG. 6 is an end view of the reciprocating blade
application Ser. No. 10/122,887 filed Apr. 15, 2002, as a mount of FIG. 5;
continuation-in-part. [0014] FIG. 7 is the back plan view of the reciprocating
blade mount of FIG. 5;
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0015] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the reciprocating blade
[0002] The invention relates to a battery-powered knife mount of FIG. 5;
having reciprocating blades for carving or cutting. [0016] FIG. 9 is a side plan view of the right reciprocating
[0003] It is well known in the industry of carving knives blade mount;
to include either electrically or battery-powered carving [0017] FIG. 10 is a front plan view of the gear-driven cam;
knives. Typically these carving knives include a housing or
casing to house the motor, and include a drive mechanism [0018] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the gear-driven
which includes means for driving a pair of carving knife cam through lines 11-11 of FIG. 10;
blades in a reciprocating manner such that the knives are [0019] FIG. 12 is the back plan view of the gear-driven
180 out of phase. This back and forth reciprocation of the cam of FIG. 10;
blades assists in the carving process. Such carving knives are
typically used for home use for carving of meats of various [0020] FIG. 13 is a side plan view of the guide for the
sorts, but such knives can also be used for cleaning and reciprocating blade mounts;
preparation of fish. One of the drawbacks to existing prod [0021] FIG. 14 is a front plan view of the guide of FIG.
ucts, whether electrically driven or battery-powered, is that 13 shown partially in section;
the motor is located in the housing in a position such that the
motor and/or the battery forms a counterweight to the knife [0022] FIG. 15 is a front plan view of the mounting
blades, such that the weight must be counteracted by the user member for the cam of FIGS. 10-12;
by a further carving force to enable the meat to be cut. This [0023] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken through
provides for a device which is not very ergonomically lines 16-16 of FIG. 14; and
pleasing to the user and feels very awkward during such use.
[0004] Take for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,337,954; 3,432, [0024] FIG. 17 is a view of another embodiment of a
carving knife according to the present invention with one
702; and 3,679,958. All of these mechanisms show a very half of the outer housing removed.
heavy weight in the area where the casing would be gripped
by the user as well as provide a very bulky handgrip for such [0025] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the rechargeable
use. Yet further the device is not very compact as the motor battery pack utilized in the operation of the carving knife.
includes the gear drive facing forward which causes a serial [0026] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the rechargeable
arrangement of the components, that is, the batteries-motor battery pack depicted in FIG. 18 with a portion of the shrink
gear drive-knife, causing a stack up of dimensions resulting wrap covering cut away for illustrative purposes.
in an elongate and bulky end product.
[0005] One design, shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,155 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
shows a motor having the drive shaft facing rearward, but
once again the weight distribution is not optimum, as the [0027] The objects of the invention have been accom
motor is placed midway within the housing as an extendable plished by providing an electric carving knife for driving a
and retractable knife assembly is positioned at the front part pair of carving knife blades, where the knife comprises a
of the housing. This not only causes a weight distribution housing having a front motor receiving section and a rear
issue, but also provides a very bulky handgrip section handgrip section, the handgrip section having a reduced
making the design difficult for the user. cross-section as compared to the front motor receiving
section. A motor is positioned in the front motor receiving
[0006] The objects of the invention then are to improve section, having a drive shaft extending rearwardly in the
upon the shortcomings of the prior art. general direction as the rear handgrip section. A drive
mechanism is connected to the motor drive shaft, and
[0007] The invention will now be described by way of including a gear drive train to impart a reciprocating motion
drawing figures where: to the blades such that the knife blades are driven asym
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the carving knife of metrically. Preferably, the electric carving knife blades are
the present invention; driven 180 out of phase.
[0028] Also preferably, the drive gear train comprises a
[0009] FIG.2 is a view of the carving knife of FIG. 1 with worm gear attached to and driven by the motor drive shaft,
one-half of the outer housing cover removed, and partially a cam member drive by the worm gear, and reciprocating
in section; blade mounts which are driven by the cam member. The
[0010] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the drive section of worm gear is attached to the motor drive shaft and rotates
the carving knife of FIG. 2 partially in section; about a longitudinal axis. The cam member is comprised of
a spur gear meshing with the worm gear, and rotates about
[0011] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view through lines 4-4 an axis transverse with the longitudinal axis. The cam
of FIG. 3; member includes cam lobes positioned on opposite sides of
US 2003/0192191 A1 Oct. 16, 2003

the spur gear, the cam lobes being eccentric relative to the walls 28 which neck down to define a narrower section of
transverse axis and 180 out of phase relative to each other. the housing 4 which are profiled so as to receive the
The reciprocating blade mounts are substantially L-shaped reciprocating blade mounts 20 as well as end section 30 of
to include an upstanding foot portion and an elongate leg the knife 8. As shown best in FIG. 1, an opening 32 is
portion, the upstanding foot portions having elongate slots provided at the front end of the housing 4 to receive the
which overlap the cam lobes. The elongate leg portions of reciprocating blades 8. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 4
the reciprocating blade mounts extend forwardly and include includes a battery receiving section 34 within handgrip
blade mounting sections situated adjacent the forward sec section 12 so as to retain battery pack 16. It should be
tion of the front motor receiving section, and the front motor appreciated that the handgrip section 12 is of a reduced cross
receiving section including an access opening, accessing the section as compared to the motor receiving section 10.
blade mounting sections. The front motor receiving section
includes upper arcuate outer walls profiled to surround the [0033] With respect now to FIGS. 3-16, the drive train of
motor, and tapered walls surrounding the reciprocating blade the carving knife 2 will be described in greater detail. As
mounts. The handgrip section includes a battery receiving shown in FIG. 3, motor 14 includes a drive shaft 40 which
cavity for the receipt of a battery. extends along a generally longitudinal axis and projects
[0029] In another embodiment of the invention, the motor rearwardly towards battery pack 16. Drive shaft 40 includes
has a drive shaft extending forwardly in the direction of the a press fit worm gear 42 having a helical tooth at 44. With
knife blades. The drive gear train is situated forward of the respect now to FIGS. 5-8, reciprocating blade mount 20 will
motor and includes substantially L-shaped reciprocating be described in greater detail. The reciprocating blade mount
blade mounts having rearwardly facing elongate leg por 20 is substantially L-shaped, as shown in either of FIG. 5 or
tions. The elongate leg portions have blade mounting sec 7 to include an upstanding foot portion 50 and an elongate
tions situated adjacent the rearward section of the motor leg portion at 52. The upstanding foot portion 50 includes an
receiving section as previously described. elongate slot at 54 as will be described in further detail
[0030] Both embodiments of the invention include pref herein. The elongate leg portion 52 includes a blade receiv
erably a battery pack having a compact design. The battery ing area at 56 having a slot 60 within the reciprocating blade
pack includes six individual Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni mount 20. Leg portion 52 further includes spacing lugs at 58,
MH) batteries enclosed in shrink wrapping and connected in 59 which will be described in greater detail. As shown in
series. The individual batteries are arranged within the FIG. 7, the reciprocating blade mount 20 includes a back
battery pack forming a triangular cross-section with the surface 62 which is substantially flat so as to cooperate with
positive ends of a group of three individual batteries the guide member 22, as will be described herein. Finally,
arranged with a triangular cross-section abutting the nega the blade mount 20 includes a tapered section at 64, which
tive ends of the remaining three individual batteries also transitions from the elongate leg 52 to the foot section 50.
arranged with a triangular cross-section. The electrical con Foot section 50 also includes a bearing surface at 66 to
nection between the six individual batteries is such that the cooperate with cam member 18, as more fully discussed
battery pack may be recharged from an external power herein.
source when the energy contained therein is substantially
depleted. [0034] With reference now to FIG. 9, the cooperating and
right blade mount 20' is shown which is a mirror image of
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE blade mount 20. Blade mount 20' includes a foot portion 50
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT connected to an elongate leg portion 52'. The foot portion 50
has an elongate slot and a blade receiving area at 56'
[0031] With reference first to FIG. 1, a battery-powered including a blade receiving slot 60'. The leg portion 52
carving knife is shown generally at reference numeral 2 further includes spacing lugs 58". It should be appreciated
which includes a housing member 4 having a power switch from a comparison of FIGS. 5 and 9, that the spacing lugs
at 6 to provide power to reciprocating knife blades shown at 58, 58' are profiled in a cooperating manner such that when
8. The housing 4 generally includes a front motor receiving the two legs 52, 52' are placed against each other, the single
section 10 and a handgrip section at 12. With respect to FIG. spacing lug 59 of leg 52 is positioned intermediate the two
2, the carving knife 2 further generally comprises a motor at spacing lugs 58' of the leg 52'; and the single lug 59' of the
14, driven by battery pack 16, which, as mentioned before,
has intermediate power switch 6 for engaging or disengag leg 52' is spaced intermediate the two lugs 58 on leg 52.
ing the motor 14. In the preferred embodiment of the [0035] With respect now to FIGS. 10-12, the cam member
invention, battery pack 16 is a nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) 18 will be described in greater detail. As shown first in FIG.
battery pack; six batteries total, with three stacks of two 10, the cam member 18 includes a central spur gear portion
batteries and is described in greater detail herein below. The 70, having gear teeth 72. The cam member 18 includes a
carving knife 2 further includes a cam member 18, and central opening 74 about which it can rotate and cam lobes
reciprocating blade mounts at 20 which reciprocate within 76 and 78 being positioned on opposite sides of the spur gear
guide members 22. Cam 18 is held in place about a rotational member 70. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, cam lobes 76
axis by a bracket 24. and 78 are eccentric relative to the central opening 74, and
[0032] With reference now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing in the preferred embodiment of the invention are 180 out of
member 4 will be described in greater detail. As shown in phase of each other. As shown in FIGS. 10-12, the central
FIG. 1, the housing 4, and in particular the motor receiving spur gear portion includes outer surface portions 70a and
section 10, includes outer arcuate surfaces 26 profiled so as 70b, which cooperate with the blade mounts as more fully
to receive motor 14. The housing 4 also includes tapered described herein.
US 2003/0192191 A1 Oct. 16, 2003

[0036] With reference now to FIGS. 13 and 14, the guide [0041] With the various components as described above,
member 22 for the reciprocating blade mount is shown in the assembly of the carving knife 2 will be described as
greater detail. The guides 22 include an outer peripheral follows. The cam member 18 is first positioned between the
bearing ring portion 80 having a generally rectangular two cooperable reciprocal blade mounts 20, 20' such that the
internal surface 82 and outer locating lugs at 84. With cam lobes 76, 78 are situated in corresponding elongate slots
reference now to FIGS. 15 and 16, bracket 24 will be 54, 54 as best shown in FIG. 4. It should be appreciated that
described in greater detail. Bracket 24 includes a back plate the blade mounts 20, 20 are profiled, through tapered
portion 90 having a central opening at 92 with mounting section 64, to overlap the cam member 18, and the lugs 58,
holes at 94. The bracket 24 further includes two mounting 59, 58, 59' interdigitate as described above. The guides 22
arms at 96 having a pin receiving opening 98 in each arm. for the reciprocal blade mounts 20, 20 may now be slidably
received over an end thereof. The bracket 24 may be
[0037] With respect now to FIGS. 18 and 19, the battery assembled to the cam by aligning apertures 98 of arms 96
pack 16 is depicted in greater detail. Battery pack 16 (FIG. 15) with the central opening 74 (FIGS. 10-12) of the
includes six individual batteries 130, a shrink wrap covering cam and slidably receiving a pin 100 (FIG. 4) through the
132, and end conductors 134. The batteries 130 may be arms 96 and through the central opening 74. The combina
comprised of any well known combination of compounds tion of the above-described assembly may now be posi
capable of producing electric current, such as Nickel Metal tioned within the housing 4, together with the motor 14, such
Hydride (NiMH). However, it is generally preferred that that the helical tooth 44 of the worm gear 42 meshes with the
the chosen combination allow the batteries to be recharged gears 72 of the cam member 18. Furthermore, guides 22 are
upon the exhaustion of the electrical output of the batteries positioned with their locating lugs 84 in corresponding
130. The six batteries 130 are arranged in three pairs, with locating slots 110 in the housing. It should be appreciated
each pair aligned along a common longitudinal axis and the that the battery compartment 34 would include a contact
positive terminal of one battery 130 of the pair being in mechanism (not shown) which would be wired to the motor
contact with the negative terminal of the other battery in the member 14 together with the intermediate switch 6 as is well
pair. The pairs are aligned longitudinally parallel to one known in the art. It should also be appreciated that the
another and arranged such that every pair is located within handgrip section 12 of the housing 4 would include an end
the valley present between the other two pairs. cap such as 120 to slidably receive a battery pack 16 therein.
The assembly would be completed by enclosing the assem
[0038] An end conductor 134 is located at the end of each bly described above with the housing half which forms part
pair of batteries 130. Each of the end conductors 134 has a of the housing assembly 4.
profile complementary to the cross-section of the battery [0042] As assembled, the battery-powered carving knife
pack and may be manufactured from any material well operates as follows. When the switch 6 is positioned in the
known that is capable of conducting an electric current. ON position, the motor shaft 40 is driven which in turn
Generally, the side of end conductor 134 which is opposite drives worm gear 42. This causes engagement of the tooth
the side in contact with the batteries 130 is coated with an 44 and teeth 72 of the cam member 18. Cam member 18
insulating material. rotates about pin 100 causing eccentric cam lobes 76, 78 to
eccentrically rotate around pin 100 within cooperating elon
[0039] Referring specifically to FIG. 19 wherein battery gate slots 54, 54, thereby causing a reciprocation of the
pack 16 is depicted with shrink wrap covering 132 partially reciprocating blade mounts 20, 20'. As mentioned above, the
cut away for illustrative purposes, it can be seen that shrink reciprocating blade mounts 20, 20 reciprocate out of phase
wrap covering 132 envelopes the three pairs of batteries 130 by 180. FIG. 3 shows the end portion 30 of the blade 8
providing a rigidity to the structure and protecting the positioned in the gripping slot 56 so as to be held in place.
electrical continuity of the batteries 130. Further, shrink
wrap 132 ensures battery pack 16 maintains a cross-section [0043] It should be appreciated then that the above-men
which is substantially an equilateral triangle with the indi tioned design is both very ergonomically designed as well as
vidual batteries 130 comprising the points of the triangle. In compact and lightweight. As best shown in FIG. 2, as the
addition, shrink wrap 132 also retains end conductors 134 in drive shaft of the motor 14 extends rearwardly, this allows
position located at the ends of the pairs of batteries 130. End the reciprocating blade mounts to reciprocate beneath the
conductors 134 are retained in contact with the conducting motor such that the length of the motor receiving compart
ends of batteries 130 and are oriented such that the con
ment 10 needs only to be the length of the reciprocating
blade mounts 20, 20', not the addition of the motor 14 and
ducting side is in contact with the batteries 130. This the reciprocating blade mounts 20, 20'. Moreover, as the
configuration allows the electrical circuitry (not shown) of motor 14 and the reciprocating blade mounts 20, 20' are
the carving knife 2 to be electronically coupled to the end positioned forward of the handgrip member 12, the weight
conductors 134 which are in turn electronically coupled to of the motor 14, and the reciprocating blade mounts 20, 20
the all six batteries 130, thereby allowing the carving knife cause a moment in the same direction as that needed to carve
2 to draw power from all six batteries 130 simultaneously. the item to be cut assisting the blades 8 in the carving
operation.
[0040] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each
of the batteries is 1.2 volts each, defining a battery back of [0044] In another embodiment of the invention, shown in
7.2 volts. Furthermore, while each of the batteries preferably FIG. 17, a battery-powered carving knife 202 is shown
include the same amperage, the amperage of the battery pack having a housing member 204 which is similar to housing
can vary to vary the lifetime between charges for the pack. member 4 as previously described. In this embodiment, the
For example, if the batteries are 1500 milli-amps (ma), the motor 14 is oriented so that the drive shaft 40 extends
lifetime is approximately 35 minutes; with 2200 ma, the generally longitudinally projecting forwardly away from the
lifetime is 45 minutes and with 2300 ma batteries, the handgrip section 212. The drive train is also repositioned to
lifetime is 60 minutes. the forward section of the motor receiving section.
US 2003/0192191 A1 Oct. 16, 2003

[0045] As described in the previous embodiment, the 2. The battery pack for an electric carving knife as set
motor drive shaft includes the press fit worm gear 42 for forth in claim 2 further including six individual batteries.
driving cam member 18. Cam member 18 includes a central 3. The battery pack for an electric carving knife as set
spur gear portion 70, which is meshed with the worm gear forth in claim 3 wherein said six individual batteries are
42 as previously described. The cam member 18 has a rechargeable.
central opening 74 about which it rotates and cam lobes 76 4. The battery pack for an electric carving knife as set
and 78 positioned on opposite sides of the central spur gear forth in claim 4 wherein the composition of said individual
70. Again, cam lobes 76 and 78 are eccentric to the opening batteries is Nickel Metal Hydride.
74 and are preferably oriented so that they are 180 out of 5. A battery pack for an electric carving knife having a
phase with each other. housing including a front motor receiving section and a rear
[0046] Similar to the previously described embodiment, handgrip section, the handgrip section having a reduced
L-shaped reciprocating blade mounts 220 are provided cross-section as compared to the front motor receiving
which include an upstanding foot portion 250 having an section, said battery pack comprising:
elongate slot (not shown) which is identical to that in the a plurality of individual batteries; and
foot portion 50 of blade mount 20. Blade mount 220 also
includes an elongate leg portion 252, and a tapered section, a shrink wrap covering;
which is hidden in FIG. 17, that transitions from the
elongate leg portion 252 to the foot portion 250. The wherein said battery pack is housed within the handgrip
elongate leg portion 252 includes a blade receiving area 256. section of said electric carving knife and said battery
As shown in FIG. 17, the blade mount 220 in this embodi pack is rechargeable.
ment is oriented so that the elongate leg portion 252 extends 6. The battery pack for an electric carving knife as set
rearwardly in the direction of the knifes grip section 212. So forth in claim 5 wherein said battery pack is further com
oriented, it will be appreciated that in this embodiment, the prised of six individual batteries.
end section 230 of knife blade 208 is slightly longer than that 7. The battery pack for an electric carving knife as set
of the previous embodiment so as to be properly engaged in forth in claim 6 wherein said individual batteries are com
the blade receiving area 256, which in this embodiment prised of Nickel Metal Hydride.
extends into the rear portion of the front motor receiving 8. The battery pack for an electric carving knife as set
section. In other respects, the blade mount 220 is identical to forth in claim 5 wherein said shrink wrap covering enve
that of the embodiment previously described. lopes said individual batteries and retains said individual
[0047] Assembly is similarly achieved with the cam lobes batteries in a set configuration.
76, and 78 being received in the elongate slots of a coop 9. The battery pack for an electric carving knife as set
erating pair of blade mounts. As in the previously described forth in claim 8 wherein said set configuration has a trian
embodiment, a bracket 24 is provided to complete the gular cross-section.
assembly of the cam member 18 and blade mount 220, and 10. An electric carving knife for driving a pair of carving
for positioning the assembly within the housing. Guide knife blades, the knife comprising:
members 222 are also provided for locating the elongate leg
portion 252 of the blade mount 220 within the housing 204 a housing having a front motor receiving section and a
using locating slots 210. rear handgrip section, the handgrip section having a
[0048] Operation of this embodiment of the invention is reduced cross-section as compared to the front motor
receiving section;
identical to that of the first described embodiment achieving
the same ergonomic and operational benefits previously a motor positioned in said front motor receiving section
described. This embodiment maintains the positioning of the for driving the knife blades;
reciprocating blade mounts beneath the motor, maintaining a battery pack positioned in the reduced cross-section
the brevity of the motor receiving compartment.
handgrip section, said battery pack comprising a plu
[0049] Advantageously, in either of the embodiments of rality of batteries arranged in series.
FIG. 2 or 17, the motor 14 and blade mounts, either 20 or 11. The electric carving knife of claim 10, wherein said
220, are positioned within the housing 4 or 204, such that batteries are arranged in an elongate stack.
they longitudinally overlap. This allows for a reduction in 12. The electric carving knife of claim 11, wherein said
the overall length of the knife as described above. In either battery pack is comprised of six batteries, arranged in two
case, this also places the weight of the motor and blades stack of three batteries, where each stack of three batteries
forward of the handle, which accounts for a moment in a are configured in a triangular configuration.
direction which will assist cutting or carving. 13. The electric carving knife of claim 12, wherein said
What I claim is: battery pack is at least substantially encapsulated within an
1. A battery pack for an electric carving knife having a insulating covering.
housing including a front motor receiving section and a rear 14. The electric carving knife of claim 10, wherein said
handgrip section, the handgrip section having a reduced individual batteries are comprised of Nickel Metal Hydride.
cross-section as compared to the front motor receiving 15. The electric carving knife of claim 14, wherein said
section, said battery pack comprising: Nickel Metal Hydride batteries are approximately 1.2 volts
each.
a plurality of individual batteries; and 16. An electric knife for driving a pair of knife blades, the
a shrink wrap covering; knife comprising:
wherein said individual batteries are enveloped within a housing having a front motor receiving section and a
said shrink wrap and maintained in an arrangement rear handgrip section, the handgrip section having a
with a triangular cross-section. reduced cross-section as compared to the front motor
US 2003/0192191 A1 Oct. 16, 2003

receiving section, and defining a battery receiving 25. The electric knife of claim 24, wherein said cam
cavity for the receipt of a battery; member is comprised of a spur gear meshing with said worm
a motor positioned in said front motor receiving section; gear, and rotating about an axis transverse with said longi
tudinal axis.
a drive mechanism interconnecting said motor to the knife 26. The electric knife of claim 25, wherein said cam
blades are driven asymmetrically; and member includes cam lobes positioned on opposite side of
a battery pack positioned in said battery receiving cavity said spur gear, said cam lobes being eccentric relative to said
and interconnected to said motor, said battery pack transverse axis and 180 out of phase relative to each other.
comprising at leas three batteries arranged in a trian 27. The electric knife of claim 26, wherein said recipro
gular cross section. cating blade mounts are substantially L-shaped to include an
17. The electric knife of claim 16, wherein said battery upstanding foot portion and an elongate leg portion, said
pack is comprised of six batteries, arranged in two stack of upstanding foot portions having elongate slots which over
three batteries, where each stack of three batteries are lap said cam lobes.
configured in a triangular configuration. 28. The electric knife of claim 27, wherein said drive
18. The electric knife of claim 17, wherein said battery mechanism further includes a guide member configured to
pack is at least substantially encapsulated within an insu receive said elongate leg portion of a corresponding pair of
lating covering. said blade mounts when said blade mounts are juxtaposed.
19. The electric knife of claim 17, wherein said individual
batteries are comprised of Nickel Metal Hydride. 29. The electric knife of claim 27, wherein said motor is
20. The electric knife of claim 19, wherein said Nickel positioned with said drive shaft extending rearwardly,
Metal Hydride batteries are approximately 1.2 volts each. towards said elongate handle, and said upstanding feet
21. The electric knife of claim 20, wherein said batteries portions extend upwardly towards said motor drive shaft,
have substantially the same amperage, wherein said identi and said elongate leg portions of said reciprocating blade
cal amperage can range between 1500 and 2300 ma, to mounts extend forwardly and include blade mounting sec
provide multiple battery pack lifetime duration. tions situated adjacent the forward section of said front
22. The electric knife of claim 17, wherein said knife motor receiving section, and said front motor receiving
further comprises reciprocating blade mounts positioned section including an access opening, accessing said blade
adjacent said motor, and being in an overlapping manner in mounting sections.
a longitudinal direction with said drive mechanism inter 30. The electric knife of claim 28, wherein said motor is
connecting said motor to said reciprocating blade mounts positioned with said drive shaft extending forwardly, away
such that the knife blades are driven asymmetrically. from said elongate handle, and said upstanding feet portions
23. The electric knife of claim 22, wherein said drive extend upwardly towards said forwardly facing motor drive
mechanism comprises a worm gear attached to and driven shaft, said elongate leg portions of said reciprocating blade
by said motor drive shaft and a cam member driven by said mounts extend rearwardly in the general direction of said
worm gear, said cam member imparting reciprocating move rear handgrip section and include blade mounting sections,
ment to said blade mounts. and said front motor receiving section including an access
24. The electric knife of claim 23, wherein said worm gear opening, accessing said blade mounting sections.
is attached to said motor drive shaft and rotates about a
longitudinal axis.