Convertible cutting device

Abstract

A convertible cutting device (1, 1′) comprises a first handle (2, 2′) with a first blade (8, 8′) and a second handle (5, 5′) with a second blade (11, 11′), and a conversion device (14, 14′) being configured to adapt at least a scissor position and a knife position. The conversion device (14, 14′) and the second handle (5, 5′) comprise in each case at least one abutment section (15, 15′; 18, 18′) being configured to abut against one another when the conversion device (14, 14′) is in the knife position and when the first handle (2, 2′) and the second handle (5, 5′) are in the closed position, whereby the conversion device (14, 14′) is retained in the knife position.

Claims

1. A convertible cutting device comprising: a first handle comprising a proximal region and a distal region; a second handle comprising a proximal region and a distal region; a first blade being arranged in the distal region of the first handle and comprising a first cutting edge and a first outer edge being arranged opposite to the first cutting edge; a second blade being arranged in the distal region of the second handle and comprising a second cutting edge and a second outer edge being arranged opposite to the second cutting edge; and a conversion device; wherein the first handle and the second handle are pivotably coupled to one another and are pivotable between at least an opened position and a closed position, wherein the conversion device is configured to adapt at least a scissor position and a knife position, wherein, when the conversion device is in the scissor position, the conversion device prevents the first cutting edge from extending beyond the second outer edge and furthermore prevents the second cutting edge from extending beyond the first outer edge, and wherein, when the conversion device is in the knife position, at least one of the first cutting edge extends at least partially beyond the second outer edge and the second cutting edge extends at least partially beyond the first outer edge, wherein the conversion device and the second handle comprise in each case at least one abutment section, and wherein the abutment section of the conversion device and the abutment section of the second handle are configured to abut against one another when the conversion device is in the knife position and when the first handle and the second handle are in the closed position, whereby the conversion device is retained in the knife position.

2. The convertible cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the first handle and the second handle when being in the closed position define a retaining space, and wherein the conversion device is at least partially arranged within said retaining space when the conversion device is in the knife position.

3. The convertible cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the conversion device is arranged at least one of in the proximal region of the first handle and in the proximal region of the second handle.

4. The convertible cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the conversion device comprises at least one actuation element, and wherein the conversion device is transferable from the scissor position into the knife position upon an actuation of the actuation element.

5. The convertible cutting device according to claim 4, wherein at least one of i) the actuation element at least partially protrudes from at least one of a proximal end of the first handle and a proximal end of the second handle when the conversion device is in the scissor position, ii) the actuation element and the conversion device are a single-piece element, and iii) the actuation element laterally protrudes from at least one of the first handle and the second handle.

6. The convertible cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the conversion device is movably mounted on the first handle and is configured to move along the first handle at least one of when being transferred from the scissor position into the knife position and when being transferred from the knife position into the scissor position.

7. The convertible cutting device according to claim 6, wherein the conversion device performs at least one of a linear movement and a movement extending along an axis being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first handle.

8. The convertible cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the first handle and the conversion device in each case comprise at least one guiding element, and wherein the guiding elements are configured to guide a movement of the conversion device.

9. The convertible cutting device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of i) the conversion device is transferable from the scissor position into the knife position when the first handle and the second handle are in the opened position, and ii) the conversion device is transferable from the knife position into the scissor position in the absence of a pressing of the first handle and the second handle against one another.

10. The convertible cutting device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of i) the first handle comprises a recess and wherein the conversion device is movable at least one of along and at least partially within said recess, and ii) the second handle comprises at least one recess, and wherein the conversion device is movable at least one of along and at least partially within said recess.

11. The convertible cutting device according to claim 10, wherein the recess of the second handle is at least partially delimited by the abutment section of the second handle.

12. The convertible cutting device according to claim 1, further comprising a biasing element that biases the conversion device into the scissor position.

13. The convertible cutting device according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the biasing element is arranged on the first handle, the biasing element is arranged in the recess of the first handle, and the biasing element is a spring.

14. The convertible cutting device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of i) the second handle comprises a limiting element being configured to limit a pivoting of the first handle with respect to the second handle and ii) the conversion device comprises a limiting element being configured to limit a pivoting of the first handle with respect to the second handle.

15. The convertible cutting device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of i) the conversion device is configured such, that the first handle and the second handle are pivoted towards one another while the conversion device is transferred from the scissor position into the knife position and ii) the conversion device is configured such, that the first handle and the second handle are pivoted away from one another while the conversion device is transferred from the knife position into the scissor position.

16. The convertible cutting device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one locking device, wherein at least one of i) the locking device is configured to lock the first handle and the second handle in the closed position, ii) the locking device is configured such that a locking of the first handle and the second handle is prevented when the conversion device is in the knife position, iii) the locking device is configured such, that a locking of the first handle and the second handle in the closed position is released upon pressing the first handle and the second handle against one another.

17. The convertible cutting device according to claim 16, wherein the locking device is at least one of spring-loaded and comprises at least a first engagement element and a second engagement element that are configured to engage one another, whereby the locking device is in a locking position where it locks the first handle and the second handle in the closed position.

18. The convertible cutting device according to claim 17, wherein at least one of i) the first engagement element is provided on the first handle and the second engagement element is provided on the second handle, and ii) a length of the second engagement element is larger than a diameter of the retaining space.

19. The convertible cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the conversion device comprises at least one pushing element and the second handle comprises at least one pushable element, and wherein the pushing element is configured to push against the pushable element in the absence of a pressing force being exerted onto the first handle and the second handle whereby the second handle is pivotable away from the first handle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the following with reference to the drawings, which are for the purpose of illustrating the present preferred embodiments of the invention and not for the purpose of limiting the same. In the drawings,

(2) FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a convertible cutting device comprising handles and a conversion device according to a first embodiment;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a top view of the convertible cutting device according to FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the convertible cutting device according to FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4a shows a side view of the convertible cutting device according to FIG. 1, wherein the handles are in a closed position and in a locked position and the conversion device is in a scissor position;

(6) FIG. 4b shows a sectional view of the convertible cutting device according to FIG. 4a;

(7) FIG. 5a shows a side view of the convertible cutting device according to FIG. 1, wherein the handles are in a closed position and in an unlocked position and the conversion device is in the scissor position;

(8) FIG. 5b shows a sectional view of the convertible cutting device according to FIG. 5a;

(9) FIG. 6a shows a side view of the convertible cutting device according to FIG. 1, wherein the handles are in an opened position and the conversion device is in the scissor position;

(10) FIG. 6b shows a sectional view of the convertible cutting device according to FIG. 6a;

(11) FIG. 7a shows a side view of the convertible cutting device according to FIG. 1, wherein the handles are in the opened position and the conversion device is in a knife position;

(12) FIG. 7b shows a sectional view of the convertible cutting device according to FIG. 7a;

(13) FIG. 8a shows a side view of the convertible cutting device according to FIG. 1, wherein the handles are in the closed position and the conversion device is in the knife position;

(14) FIG. 8b shows a sectional view of the convertible cutting device according to FIG. 8a;

(15) FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of a convertible cutting device comprising a conversion device according to a second embodiment;

(16) FIG. 10 shows a top view of the convertible cutting device according to FIG. 9;

(17) FIG. 11 shows a rear view of the convertible cutting device according to FIG. 9;

(18) FIG. 12a shows a perspective view of the convertible cutting device according to FIG. 9, wherein the handles are in a closed position and the conversion device is in a scissor position;

(19) FIG. 12b shows a sectional view of the convertible cutting device according to FIG. 12a;

(20) FIG. 13a shows a perspective view of the convertible cutting device according to FIG. 9, wherein the handles are in an opened position and the conversion device is in the scissor position;

(21) FIG. 13b shows a sectional view of the convertible cutting device according to FIG. 13a;

(22) FIG. 14a shows a perspective view of the convertible cutting device according to FIG. 9, wherein the handles are in the opened position and the conversion device is in a knife position;

(23) FIG. 14b shows a sectional view of the convertible cutting device according to FIG. 14a;

(24) FIG. 15a shows a perspective view of the convertible cutting device according to FIG. 9, wherein the handles are in the closed position and the conversion device is in the knife position;

(25) FIG. 15b shows a sectional view of the convertible cutting device according to FIG. 15a.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(26) Aspects of the convertible cutting device according to the invention will be discussed in greater with respect to the figures.

(27) To this end, FIGS. 1 to 8b depict a convertible cutting device 1 according to a first embodiment and FIGS. 9 to 15b depict a convertible cutting device 1′ according to a second embodiment. In fact, the convertible cutting device 1 according to the first embodiment corresponds to a convertible kitchen shear, whereas the convertible cutting device 1′ according to the second embodiment corresponds to a convertible household shear.

(28) As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 9, both embodiments have in common that the convertible cutting device 1, 1′ comprises a first handle 2, 2′ and a second handle 5, 5′ that are pivotably coupled to one another and are pivotable between at least an opened position and a closed position. The first handle 2, 2′ comprises a proximal region 3, 3′ with a proximal end 20, 20′ and a distal region 4, 4′ with a distal end 35, 35′, wherein a first blade 8, 8′ is arranged in the distal region 4, 4′ of the first handle 2, 2′. The second handle 5, 5′ comprises a proximal region 6, 6′ with a proximal end 32, 32′ and a distal region 7, 7′ with a distal end 36, 36′, wherein a second blade 11, 11′ is arranged in the distal region 7, 7′ of the second handle 5, 5′. The proximal end 20, 20′ of the first handle 2, 2′ and the proximal end 32, 32′ of the second handle 5, 5′ provide the proximal end 37, 37′ of the convertible cutting device 1, 1′. Likewise, a distal end 39, 39′ of the first blade 8, 8′ and a distal end 40, 40′ of the second blade 11, 11′ provide the distal end 38, 38′ of the convertible cutting device 1, 1′. The first and second blades 8, 8′, 11, 11′ are pivotably connected to one another by a hinge rivet 41, 41′ that extends through holes 42, 42′ being provided in the blades 8, 8′, 11, 11′. Thereby, the handles 2, 2′, 5, 5′ are pivotably connected to one another. The first blade 8, 8′ comprises a first cutting edge 9, 9′ and a first outer edge 10, 10′ being arranged opposite to the first cutting edge 9, 9′. The second blade 11, 11′ likewise comprises a second cutting edge 12, 12′ and a second outer edge 13, 13′ being arranged opposite to the second cutting edge 12, 12′. Whereas the first and second cutting edges 9, 9′, 12, 12′ are facing one another, the first and second outer edges 10, 10′, 13, 13′ are facing towards an outside. The convertible cutting device 1, 1′ furthermore comprises a conversion device 14, 14′, wherein the conversion device 14, 14′ is configured to adapt at least a scissor position (see FIGS. 2 to 6b and FIGS. 10 to 13b) and a knife position (see FIGS. 7a to 8b and FIGS. 14a to 15b). When the conversion device 14, 14′ is in the scissor position, the conversion device 14, 14′ prevents the first cutting edge 9, 9′ from extending beyond the second outer edge 13, 13′ and furthermore prevents the second cutting edge 12, 12′ from extending beyond the first outer edge 10, 10. When the conversion device 14, 14′ is in the knife position, the first cutting edge 9, 9′ extends at least partially beyond the second outer edge 13, 13′ and the second cutting edge 12, 12′ extends at least partially beyond the first outer edge 10, 10′. In the depicted examples, the conversion device 14, 14′ and the second handle 5, 5′ comprise in each case an abutment section 15, 15′; 18, 18′, and wherein the abutment section 15, 15′ of the conversion device 14, 14′ and the abutment section 18, 18′ of the second handle 5, 5′ are configured to abut against one another when the conversion device 14, 14′ is in the knife position and when the first handle 2, 2′ and the second handle 5, 5′ are in the closed position, whereby the conversion device 14, 14′ is retained in the knife position. This situation is depicted in FIGS. 8a and 8b for the first embodiment and in FIGS. 15a and 15b for the second embodiment. As can be seen in these figures, the conversion devices 14, 14′ of the first embodiment and of the second embodiment are different in shape. In fact, the conversion device 14 of the first embodiment can be said to have the shape of a wedge, whereas the conversion device 14′ of the second embodiment has a rectangular shape.

(29) As follows from the figures, in both embodiments the conversion device 14, 14′ is arranged in the proximal region 3, 3′ of the first handle 2, 2′ as well as in the proximal region 6, 6′ of the second handle 5, 5′. In other words, the conversion device 14, 14′ is arranged in a proximal region of the convertible cutting device 1, 1′. Again in other words, the conversion device 14, 14′ is arranged remote from the blades 8, 8′, 11, 11′. The conversion device 14, 14′ comprises at least one actuation element 19, 19′, 34′, and wherein the conversion device 14, 14′ is transferable from the scissor position into the knife position upon an actuation of the actuation element 19, 19′, 34′. In fact, in the first embodiment and as seen in FIGS. 2 to 6b, the conversion device 14 comprises a single actuation element 19 protruding from a proximal end 20 of the first handle 2 and from a proximal end 32 of the second handle 5 when the conversion device 14 is in the scissor position. Here, said actuation element 19 has the form of a knob or button that can be pushed along a pushing direction extending from the proximal end 37 of the convertible cutting device 1 towards the distal end of the convertible cutting device 38, whereby the conversion device 14 is pushed along the pushing direction as well. This pushing can be done one-handed, for instance by pushing the proximal end 37 of the convertible cutting device 1 against another object such as a table, a leg of a user, etc. In the second embodiment and as seen in FIGS. 10 to 13b, the actuation element 19′ protrudes from a proximal end 20′ of the first handle 2′ and from a proximal end 32′ of the second handle 5′ when the conversion device 14′ is in the scissor position as well. However, and in contrast to the conversion device 14 of the first embodiment, the conversion device 14′ of the second embodiment comprises a first actuation element 19′ protruding from the proximal ends 20′, 32′ of the handles 2′, 5′ when the conversion device 14′ is in the scissor position as well as a second actuation element 34′ laterally protruding from the handles 2′, 5′. The first actuation element 19′ here again has the shape of a knob or button, albeit protruding proximally to a lesser extent than the actuation element 19 of the conversion device 14 according to the first embodiment. The second actuation element 34′ is a laterally protruding gripping element in the form of a corrugated surface that can be gripped by a user in order to push the actuation element 19′ and thus the conversion device 14′ along the pushing direction, see e.g. FIGS. 10, 12a, 13a, 14a, and 15a. That is, the second actuation element 34′ laterally protrudes from the handles 2′, 5′ in any position of the conversion device 14′, i.e. not only in the scissor position but also in the knife position.

(30) As follows from a comparison of FIG. 1 and FIG. 9, for instance, the convertible cutting device 1 according to the first embodiment comprises spring-loaded blades 8, 11 that are spring-loaded by a spring 35 being arranged between the blades 8, 11. In the absence of a pressing force being exerted on the handles 2, 5, the spring 35 biases the handles 2, 5 into the opened position.

(31) In order to prevent the convertible cutting device 1 from adapting the opened position, the convertible cutting device 1 comprises a locking device 28, wherein the locking device 28 is configured to lock the first handle 2 and the second handle 5 in the closed position. As follows from FIG. 1, the locking device 28 comprises a first engagement element 29 in the form of a lug being arranged on the first handle 2 and a second engagement element 30 in the form of a hook being configured to engage the lug 29 and being arranged on the second handle 5. In particular, the second engagement element 30 is pivotably mounted to the second handle 5 by means of a lock pin 46 and is furthermore spring-loaded by means of a lock spring 47. Thereby, the locking device 28 is configured such, that a locking of the first handle 2 and the second handle 5 in the closed position is released upon pressing the first handle 2 and the second handle 5 against one another. In fact, upon pressing the handles 2, 5 together, the engagement between the first engagement element 29 and the second engagement element 30 is removed, see FIGS. 5a and 5b, whereupon the blades 8, 11 and thus the handles 2, 5 are pushed into the opened position because of the spring 35 biasing the blades 8, 11 into the open position, see FIGS. 6a and 6b.

(32) Moreover, and as follows from FIGS. 8a and 8b, as a safety measure the locking device 28 is configured such that a locking of the first handle 2 and the second handle 5 is prevented when the conversion device 14 is in the knife position. This is achieved by providing the second engagement element 30 with a length 1 being larger than a diameter d of a retaining space 16 being formed between the handles 2, 5 in the region of the locking device 28.

(33) That is, the convertible cutting devices 1, 1′ according to the first and second embodiment in each case comprise a retaining space 16, 16′ that is formed between the first handle 2, 2′ and the second handle 5, 5′ when being in the closed position. Moreover, and as best seen in FIGS. 8a and 8b for the first embodiment and in FIGS. 15a and 15b for the second embodiment, the conversion device 14, 14′ is at least partially (first embodiment) or entirely (second embodiment) arranged within said retaining space 16, 16′ when the conversion device 14, 14′ is in the knife position.

(34) As mentioned initially, the conversion device 14, 14′ is retained in the knife position because of abutting abutment sections 15, 15′, 18, 18 provided on the conversion device 14, 14′ and the second handle 5, 5′. As follows from these figures, the abutment sections 15, 15′, 18, 18′ correspond in the depicted examples to abutment surfaces 17, 17′ being provided on the conversion device 14, 14′ and to abutment surfaces 48, 48′ being provided on the second handle, wherein the abutment surfaces 48, 48′ of the second handle partially delimit the retaining space.

(35) The retaining space 16, 16′ is furthermore partly delimited by a recess 23, 23′ being formed in the first handle 2, 2′ as well as by a recess 24, 24′ being formed in the second handle 5, 5′. The recess 23, 23′ of the first handle 2, 2′ is arranged on an inner side of the first handle 2, 2′ and the recess 24, 24′ of the second handle 5, 5′ is arranged on an inner side of the second handle 5, 5′, wherein the inner sides of the handles 2, 2′, 5, 5′ face one another. In both embodiments, the abutment section 18, 18′ of the second handle 5, 5′ in the form of the abutment surface 48, 48′ partially delimits the recess of the second handle. In the first embodiment, the recess 16 is partially delimited by a holding section 44 of the first handle 2 in the form of a surface. As seen in FIGS. 4b, 5b and 6b, said holding section 44 abuts against a holding section 43 in the form of a surface being provided on the conversion device 14 when the conversion device 14 is in the scissor position.

(36) As follows from FIGS. 4a to 8b and from FIGS. 12a to 15b, the conversion device 14, 14′ is movable along as well as at least partially within the recesses 23, 23′ of the first and second handles 2, 2′, 5, 5′. That is, the conversion device 14, 14′ is movably mounted on the first handle 2, 2′ and is movable along the first and second handles 2, 2′, 5′ when being transferred from the scissor position into the knife position and when being transferred from the knife position into the scissor position, respectively. To this end the conversion device 14, 14′ performs a linear movement extending along an axis M being parallel to a longitudinal axis L of the first handle 2, 2′.

(37) Said movement of the conversion device 14, 14′ occurs in a guided manner by means of a guiding element 21, 21′ being arranged on the first handle 2, 2′ and a corresponding guiding element 22, 22′ being arranged on the conversion device 14, 14′. In the first embodiment, the guiding element 21 of the first handle 2 corresponds to a guiding pin that engages a guiding element 22 of the conversion device 14 in the form of a guiding slot, see FIGS. 1, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b and 8b. Here, the guiding slot 22 of the conversion device 14 is arranged within the recess 23 of the first handle 2, where it is engaged by the guiding pin 21 extending through and being mounted in holes 49 arranged in sidewalls of the first handle 2. In the second embodiment, the guiding element 21′ of the first handle 2′ corresponds to a guiding slot being provided in the first handle 2′ and being engagable by a guiding pin (not depicted) being provided on the conversion device 14′.

(38) The convertible cutting device 1, 1′ according to both embodiments comprises a biasing element 25, 25′ that biases the conversion device 14, 14′ into the scissor position. In the depicted examples, the biasing element 25, 25′ corresponds to a spring that is arranged on the first handle 2, 2′ and in particular in the recess 23, 23′ of the first handle 2, 2′. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the conversion device 14 is transferred from the knife position into the scissor position in the absence of a pressing of the first handle 2, 2′ and the second handle 5, 5′ against one another because of the spring-loaded blades 8, 11 that are biasing the handles 2, 5 into the opened position, whereby the abutment between the abutment sections 15, 18 of the second handle 5 and the conversion device 14 is removed.

(39) In the second embodiment, the absence of a pressing force being exerted on the handles 2′, 5′ results in the handles 2, 5′ and thus the blades 8′, 11′ being pivoted away from one another as well. Namely, the conversion device 14′ of the second embodiment comprises a pushing element 26′ and that the second handle 5′ comprises a pushable element 27′, and wherein the pushing element 26′ pushes against the pushable element 27′ in the absence of a pressing force being exerted onto the first handle 2′ and the second handle 5′, whereby the second handle 5′ is pivotable away from the first handle 2′. This pushing is caused by the biasing force of the biasing element 25′ that biases the conversion device 14′ into the scissor position, since the conversion device 14′ and thus its pushing element 26′ pushes against the pushable element 27′ of the second handle 5′ while the conversion device 14′ transfers from the knife position into the scissor position. When the handles 2′, 5′ are pivoted away from one another, the abutment being established between the abutment section 18′ of the second handle 5′ and the abutment section 15′ of the conversion device 14′ is removed.

(40) As follows from FIGS. 14a to 15b, the pushing element 26′ of the conversion device 14′ corresponds here to a surface of the conversion device 14′ that abuts and thereby pushes against the pushable element 27′ of the second handle 5′ in the form of a surface as well when the conversion device 14′ transfers from the knife position into the scissor position and in the event that the handles 2′, 5′ are not pressed towards one another. That is, the pushing element 26′ and the conversion device 14′ are a single-piece element and the pushable element 27′ and the second handle 5′ are a single-piece element, respectively. Furthermore, the pushable element 27′ of the second handle 5′ is inclined, in fact an inclined surface, that increasingly runs towards the first handle 2′ or downwards with respect to a direction running from the distal end 38′ of the convertible cutting device 1′ towards the proximal end 37′ of the convertible cutting device 1′.

(41) Also the pushing element 26′ of the conversion device 14′ is inclined, namely an inclined surface, that increasingly runs towards the first handle 2′ or downwards with respect to the direction running from the distal end 38′ of the convertible cutting device 1′ towards the proximal end 37′ of the convertible cutting device 1′. The inclination of the pushing element 26′ and the inclination of the pushable element 27′ are in this case the same and run parallel to one another. In fact, an angle of inclination by which the pushable element 27′ is inclined and an angle of inclination by which the pushing element 26′ is inclined are the same. With increasing displacement of the conversion device 14′ in the direction of the proximal end 37′ of the convertible cutting device 1′, the pushing element 26′ of the conversion device 14′ is therefore pressed against the pushable element 27′ and moved along its inclined surface, whereby the second handle 5′ is increasingly pivoted away from the first handle 2′.

(42) Furthermore, the pushable element 27′ of the second handle 5′ at least partially delimits the retaining space 16′ when the handles 2′, 5′ are in the closed position. Moreover, the abutment section 18′ of the second handle 5′ comprises the pushable element 27′. In fact, a part of the pushable element 27′ in the form of the inclined surface forms the abutment section 18′ of the second handle 5′ in the form of the abutment surface 48′. Similarly, the abutment section 15′ of the conversion device 14′ comprises the pushing element 26′. In fact, the pushing element 26′ in the form of the said surface forms part or here even provides the abutment section 15′ of the conversion device 14′ in the form of the abutment surface 17′.

(43) In order to limit a pivoting of the first handle 2, 2′ with respect to the second handle 5, 5′ the second handle 5, 5′ comprises a limiting element 33, 33′ and the conversion device 14, 14′ comprises a limiting element 31, 31′. The limiting elements 31, 31′, 33, 33′ define a minimal spacing between the first handle 2, 2′ and the second handle 5, 5′ when the first handle 2, 2′ and the second handle 5, 5′ are in the closed position and when the conversion device 14, 14′ is in the scissor position. In fact, said minimal spacing results in the first and second blades 8, 8′; 11, 11′ being arranged to perform the scissor operation and furthermore ensure that the blades remain in that position. This limitation or minimal spacing is provided by an abutment between the limiting elements 31, 31′, 33, 33′. In fact, and as seen in FIGS. 4a to 5b and FIGS. 12a 12b, the limiting elements 31, 31′, 33, 33′ abut against one another when the handles 2, 2′, 5, 5′ are in the closed position and the conversion device 14, 14′ is in the scissor position. In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the limiting element 33, 33′ of the second handle 5, 5′ corresponds to a protruding element that protrudes inwards, i.e. towards the first handle 2, 2′, and which terminates in a free end defining an abutment surface, i.e. the limiting surface. In both embodiments, the limiting element 31, 31′ of the conversion device 14, 14′ likewise defines an abutment surface, i.e. a limiting surface. However, whereas in the first embodiment the limiting element 31 of the conversion device 14 corresponds to a protruding element protruding inwards, i.e. towards the second handle 5, the limiting element 31′ of the conversion device 14′ of the second embodiment is provided by a flat or even surface of the conversion device 14′. Thus, in the first embodiment the minimal spacing is defined by a height of the protrusion of the limiting element 33 of the second handle 5 and a height of the protrusion of the limiting element 31 of the conversion device 14. In the second embodiment, said minimal spacing is defined by the height of the protrusion of the limiting element 33′ of the second handle 5′ only. The transfer of the conversion device 14, 14′ from the scissor position into the knife position removes the limitation imposed by the limiting elements 31, 31′, 33, 33′, whereby the first blade 8, 8′ and the second blade 11, 11′ can be pivoted past one another, see FIGS. 7a to 8b and 14a to 15b.