More specifically, the present invention is drawn to a unique blade for a utility knife, which blade is especially adapted for cutting and manipulating roofing tile.

BACKGROUND ART Utility knives and blades therefor have been the subject of numerous patents. For example, U. S. Patent numbered 5,107, 593 (Hutchins) discloses a utility knife having a blade designed and bent to be useful as a scraper. The instant blade could not be used to efficiently cut tile.

U. S. Patent numbered 5,437, 074 (White et al. ) is drawn to a tool having curved and hooked surfaces. The tool is designed to remove caulk and does not present edges sharp enough to cut tile.

U. S. Patents 5,720, 105 (Gates), 6,148, 522 (Dobandi) and French patent 1,218, 889 show utility knives which incorporate multi-purpose blades. The blades do not have the unique configuration as required by the blade of the instant invention.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to disclose a utility blade especially designed for roofing as will subsequently be described and claimed in the instant invention.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a roofing utility blade for a roofing knife. The blade includes a flat blank having a body portion, a proximate end, a distal end, a first edge and a second edge. A curvilinear portion is formed in the first edge adjacent the proximate end. The curvilinear portion terminates in a sharpened hooked portion. A v-shaped sharpened cutting component is formed in the second edge adjacent the proximate end. The v-shaped sharpened cutting component terminates in a sharpened point.

Also part of the invention is a roofing utility blade as described above, but also having a curvilinear portion formed in the second edge adjacent the distal end. The curvilinear portion terminates in a sharpened hooked portion. A v-shaped sharpened cutting component is formed in the first edge adjacent the distal end. The v-shaped sharpened cutting component terminates in a sharpened point.

Another embodiment of the invention is a roofing utility blade which includes a flat blank fabricated from heat treated carbon steel. The blank has a body portion, a proximate end, a distal end, a first edge and a second edge. The body portion has a central area between the first end and the second end and a square opening disposed through the body portion at the central area. A curvilinear portion is formed in the first edge adjacent the proximate end. The curvilinear portion terminates in a sharpened hooked portion. A v-shaped sharpened cutting component is formed in the second edge adjacent the proximate end. The v-shaped sharpened cutting component terminates in a sharpened point.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a roofing utility blade for a roofing knife according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a roofing utility blade according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a roofing utility blade according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention is drawn to a roofing utility blade especially adapted for a roofing knife. The blade is fabricated from a flat, thin blank of metallic material and has a square central mounting hole for mounting in a conventional roofing knife. A first end of the blade is configured with a curvilinear, sharpened hook on one side and a V-shaped sharpened cutting component on the other side. This arrangement is effective to give a user the advantage of having two different type cutting surfaces in one blade without changing knives or blades. The other end of the blade is mirror image of the first end, thereby permitting a user to easily provide a fresh cutting end when the first end becomes dull.

Attention is first directed to Fig. 1 wherein the blade of the present invention is generally indicated at 10. The blade 10 is mounted in a roofing blade or knife holder 12 in the usual manner. The holder is conventional and includes a storage compartment (not shown) for retaining extra blades. As best seen in Fig. 2 a first embodiment blade 10 is fabricated from a flat, thin blank of metallic material, preferably heat-treated carbon steel. A square opening 11 is disposed through the body of the blank at a central area thereof. The blade is constructed to have a proximate end 16, a distal end 18, a first edge 20 and a second edge 22. A curvilinear portion 20a is formed in the first edge 20 adjacent the proximate end 16 and terminates in a sharpened hook portion 20b. A V-shaped sharpened cutting component 22a is formed in the second edge 22 adjacent the proximate end 16 and terminates in a sharpened point 22b.

Distal end 18 is a mirror image of proximate end 16 in that a curvilinear portion 24a is formed in the second edge 22 adjacent the distal end 18 and terminates in a sharpened hook portion 24b. A V-shaped sharpened cutting component 26a is formed in the first edge 20 adjacent the distal end 18 and terminates in a sharpened point 26b.

The embodiment of Fig. 3 is essentially the same as that of Fig. 2 except that arcuate cutting edges 28 and 30 are formed at each blade end.

The preferred embodiments of the invention provide an improved blade for a utility knife. The blade of the utility knife has multiple cutting surfaces at each end. The blade is especially adapted for cutting roofing tile. The blade is fabricated from durable material.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.