A folding knife having a safety lock moveably mounted on a handle of the knife. The safety lock may slide to a locking position to prevent the blade from opening out of the handle by obstructing the path of the blade as the blade is urged from a closed position to an open position. The safety lock also may slide away from the locking position, in which the safety lock does not obstruct the path of the blade.
|
0. 14. A folding knife comprising:
a blade having a tang end and a distal end; and
a handle having first and second sides defining between them a hollow region, the blade being coupled at the tang end to the handle and rotatable around a first axis between an open position, in which the blade extends away from the handle, and a closed position in which the blade is received in the hollow region of the handle, the first side of the handle having an elongated slot;
a safety lock slidably coupled to the first side of the handle and configured to slide along the elongated slot between a locked position, in which, while the blade is in the closed position, the safety lock extends between the distal end of the blade and an opening of the hollow region, and an unlocked position, in which the safety lock does not interfere with movement of the blade, the safety lock including:
a threaded fastener; and
a block having an aperture and a blocking portion, the threaded fastener extending through the elongated slot and engaging the aperture, the blocking portion extending from the first side of the handle into the hollow region toward the second side of the handle without contacting the second side of the handle.
0. 1. A folding knife comprising:
a blade including a distal end and a tang;
a handle configured to include a hollow region for receiving the blade, said blade being pivotally coupled to the handle via a pin to position the knife between an open position and a closed position; and
a lock mounted to the handle, wherein said lock is configured to slide in a slotted hole in the handle to transition between an operable position and an inoperable position, where in the operable position said lock is configured to obstruct a path of the distal end of the blade to prevent the knife from being placed in the open position.
0. 2. The knife of
0. 3. The knife of
0. 4. A folding knife comprising:
a blade including a distal end and a tang;
a handle configured to include a hollow region for receiving the blade, said blade being pivotally coupled to the handle via a pin to position the knife between an open position and a closed position;
a lock mounted to the handle, said lock configured to obstruct a path of the distal end of the blade to prevent the knife from being placed in the open position; and
a bias element configured to assist a user in opening the knife.
0. 5. The knife of
0. 6. The knife of
0. 7. A folding knife comprising:
a blade including a distal end and a tang;
a handle including a hollow region configured to receive the blade, said blade being pivotally coupled to the handle via a pin;
a bias element housed in the handle and configured to assist the blade in extending from the hollow region of the handle; and
a user-manipulable safety lock configured to prevent the blade from moving out of the hollow region of the handle.
0. 8. A folding knife comprising:
a blade including a distal end and a tang;
a handle including a hollow region configured to receive the blade, said blade being pivotally coupled to the handle via a pin;
a bias element housed in the handle and configured to assist the blade in extending from the hollow region of the handle; and
a safety lock configured to prevent the blade from moving out of the hollow region of the handle wherein the safety lock includes a block that limits the movement of the distal end of the blade.
0. 9. A folding knife comprising:
a blade including a distal end and a tang;
a handle including a hollow region configured to receive the blade, said blade being pivotally coupled to the handle via a pin;
a bias element housed in the handle and configured to assist the blade in extending from the hollow region of the handle; and
a safety lock configured to prevent the blade from moving out of the hollow region of the handle wherein the safety lock is configured to slide in a channel in the handle.
0. 10. A folding knife comprising:
a blade including a distal end and a tang;
a handle including a hollow region configured to receive the blade, said blade being pivotally coupled to the handle via a pin;
a bias element housed in the handle and configured to assist the blade in extending from the hollow region of the handle; and
a safety lock configured to prevent the blade from moving out of the hollow region of the handle wherein the safety lock is configured to slide to a position that allows the blade to move out of the hollow region of the handle.
0. 11. A safety lock for locking a blade of a folding knife in a folded position, comprising a block configured to contact the distal end of the blade to prevent the blade from moving out of the folded position wherein the block slides along a slotted hole to move between an operable position and an inoperable position.
0. 12. The safety lock of
0. 13. A folding knife comprising:
a blade including a distal end and a tang;
a handle including a hollow region configured to receive the blade, the blade being pivotally coupled to the handle and moveable between an open position and a closed position; and
a safety lock including a slidable block that slides substantially lengthwise relative to the handle and is adapted to obstruct the movement of the distal end of the blade when the blade is in the closed position.
0. 15. The folding knife of claim 14 wherein the block of the safety lock is of a non-metallic material to prevent damage to a sharpened edge of the blade in the event of contact between the sharpened edge and the block.
|
This application claims priority to from and is a CIP of U.S. Design Pat. Application Ser. No. 29/143,656, filed Jun. 18, 2001 for a POCKET KNIFE, and a now U.S. Pat. No. Des.474,669. The present application claims priority from and is a CIP of 09/750,235 filed Mar. 5, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,334, which claims benefit of Provisional application No. 60/173,233 filed Dec. 28, 1999. The present application claims priority from and is a CIP of 09/591,183 filed Jun. 8, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,214, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/138,318, filed Jun. 9, 1999 and also claims priority from and is a CIP of 09/483,075 filed Jan. 14, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,431, which claims benefit of Provisional application No. 60/130,401, filed Apr. 19, 1999. The present application claims priority from and is a CIP of 09/483,075 filed Jan. 14, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,431, which claims benefit of Provisional application No. 60/130,401, filed Apr. 19, 1999.
The present invention relates generally to knives, and more particularly to a folding pocket knife with a safety lock to hold a blade of the knife in a closed position. The safety lock is moveably mounted on a handle of the knife, and may slide to a locking position, in which the safety lock prevents the blade from opening out of the handle by obstructing the path of the blade as the blade is urged from a closed position in the handle to an open position out of the handle. The safety lock also may slide away from the locking position, in which the safety lock does not obstruct the path of the blade so that the blade may freely move from the closed position to an open position.
This safety lock is particularly useful in knives having an assisted opening mechanism, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,802,722, 5,815,927, and 6,145,202, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. An understanding of some prior locking mechanisms for knives also may be obtained from U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,189,005, 1,743,022, 4,133,106, 4,451,982, 4,947,552, 4,974,323, 4,979,301, 5,060,379, 5,092,045, 5,293,690, 5,647,129, and 5,822,866, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The advantages of the present invention will be understood more readily after a consideration of the drawings and the Detailed Description.
Referring to the drawings, and more specifically to
When blade 14 is in the closed position, a safety lock 22 may slide along a path 24 to a locked position to prevent a distal end 26 of blade 14 from pivoting out of handle 12 to an open position. A solid arrow L shows the preferred movement of safety lock 22. Safety lock 22 may also slide to an unlocked position to allow blade 14 to pivot freely between closed and open positions as indicated by a dashed arrow B.
Blade 14 may further include a tang 28 with a protruding portion 30 located opposite distal end 26, and a thumb stud 32, both elements useful in aiding a user in the opening of knife 10, as described in more detail below. Knife 10 may further include a displaceable lining portion 34 that may lock blade 14 in a fully extended position. This is achieved by a bias that causes lining portion 34 to move into the path of blade 14 once blade 14 has moved to a substantially open position. Closing blade 14 requires moving lining portion 34 out of the path of blade 14. These features are further described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,145,202 and 5,802,722.
Referring to
Knife 10 may still further include an assisted opening mechanism 40 that aids a user in opening knife 10. Assisted opening mechanism 40 includes a bias element 42 that urges blade 14 toward the fully extended position once blade 14 has been moved a certain distance from the closed position or past an equilibrium point. Assisted opening mechanism 40 further includes an internal plate 44 that, along with spacer 38, restricts the movement of one end of bias element 42. Bias element 42 is configured to transmit forces between blade 14 and handle 12 and is a push rod including hooks on each end, but alternatively may be a plunger, flexible cable, or other suitable force-transmitting element. Assisted opening mechanism 36 is described in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,145,202 and 5,802,722.
As shown in greater detail in
Referring to
Safety lock 22 preferably includes a bolt 50 configured to attach to a block or latch 52 through slotted hole 48. Block 52 preferably includes a threaded hole 54 to mate with bolt 50. Block 52 typically is constructed of plastic or rubber material to minimize or prevent damage to blade 14 when blade 14 contacts block 52. As long as block 52 of safety lock 22 is obstructing the path of blade 14 or limiting the movement of blade 14, safety lock 22 is operable in preventing the extension of blade 14 and is considered locked.
Safety lock 22 generally is positioned in one of two positions in slotted hole 48 on handle 12. Safety lock 22 is shown in several of the figures in dashed lines in an unlocked or inoperable position, in which the path of blade 14 is unobstructed. Safety lock 22 is shown in all of
The user may adjust safety lock 22 between locked and unlocked positions by sliding bolt 50 along slotted hole 48. Safety lock 22 is held in a user-selected position by friction. The friction may be adjusted by adjusting the tightness of bolt 50. Safety lock 22 may further include a washer 56 between the head of bolt 50 and handle 12 to enhance frictional contact between handle 12 and lock 22.
It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where the claims recite “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
It is believed that the following claims particularly point out certain combinations and subcombinations that are directed to one of the disclosed inventions and are novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
1056404, | |||
1189005, | |||
1231058, | |||
1263440, | |||
1373993, | |||
1415887, | |||
1428296, | |||
1454665, | |||
1512689, | |||
1515688, | |||
1552361, | |||
1614949, | |||
1701771, | |||
1743022, | |||
2193708, | |||
2243030, | |||
2304601, | |||
2461941, | |||
3600835, | |||
3868774, | |||
4040181, | Sep 07 1976 | Camillus Cutlery Company | Locking blade knife |
4133106, | Nov 17 1977 | Wyoming Knife Corporation | Folding locking blade knife |
4145808, | Nov 22 1977 | Knife for stripping tubing from conductors enclosed therein | |
4218819, | May 17 1979 | Spring locked disassembly folding knife | |
4240201, | Aug 13 1979 | Folding knife | |
4268960, | Aug 01 1979 | Alcas Corporation | Knife with blade locking mechanism |
4274200, | Dec 05 1979 | W R CASE & SONS CUTLERY CO | Lock open folding knife with side release |
4322885, | Jun 23 1979 | Kai Cutlery Center Co., Ltd. | Knife apparatus |
4351126, | Dec 03 1979 | Foldable gaff hook | |
4404748, | Jan 15 1981 | Firma Cuno Melcher KG ME-Sportwaffen | Folding knife |
4451982, | Jul 27 1981 | Alterra Holdings Corporation | Bolt action knife |
4502221, | Apr 29 1983 | Locking knife with thumb latch | |
4670984, | Apr 16 1986 | Folding knife | |
4730394, | Dec 15 1986 | HALLBERT, BETTY S ; SONNER, RICHARD G | Folding camp knife |
4805303, | Mar 10 1988 | CAMILLUS CUTLEY COMPANY | Multi-blade folding knife with lock open feature |
4811486, | Aug 03 1985 | Atlanta Cutlery Corporation | Pocket knife |
4837932, | Aug 06 1985 | Victorinox AG | Locking blade pocket-knife |
4947552, | May 08 1989 | BARNES INTERNATIONAL CUTLERY CORP | Folding knife with positive lock |
4974323, | Jul 11 1988 | Coherent control device for folding knife, tool, etc. | |
4979301, | Mar 19 1990 | Locking mechanism for folding blade knife | |
5025557, | Jan 18 1990 | Locking folding knife | |
5044079, | May 07 1990 | Acme United Corporation | Folding knife with open lock feature having improved spring element |
5060379, | Dec 04 1989 | TIMBERLINE, LLC | Folding knife apparatus |
5092045, | Feb 16 1990 | Lock block for a multipled-positioned knife or device | |
5095624, | Dec 07 1990 | Lock system for a folding knife | |
5111581, | Nov 06 1991 | Bolt operated locking mechanism for folding knife | |
5293690, | Feb 12 1992 | Locking device for folding knife, tool, etc. | |
5325588, | May 04 1993 | Knife with multiple cutting positions | |
5331741, | Aug 10 1992 | Lever-actuated folding knife | |
5400509, | Apr 06 1994 | Folding knife with hidden frame and method of assembly | |
5425175, | May 04 1993 | Knife with multiple cutting positions | |
5461786, | Feb 24 1995 | Lock blade knife | |
5493781, | Apr 17 1992 | Kai R&D Center Co., Ltd.; KAI R&D CENTER CO , LTD | Cutter |
5495674, | Jun 24 1994 | Acme United Corporation | Folding knife with moveable pivot axis |
5502895, | Dec 27 1994 | Folding blade pocket knife | |
5511310, | Aug 18 1994 | Alterra Holdings Corporation | Folding knife |
5515610, | Nov 15 1994 | Folding knife with locking spring integral with blade | |
5537750, | Oct 18 1993 | Buck Knives, Inc. | Folding knife with double side lock mechanism |
5689885, | Apr 08 1996 | Knife with blade-mounted pivotal lockback latch | |
5692304, | Jul 19 1996 | Cooper Brands, Inc | Locking device for folding tool |
5722168, | Jul 29 1996 | Saw blade securing mechanism | |
5737841, | Jul 12 1996 | MENTOR GROUP, L L C | Pocket knife with lock |
5755035, | Nov 21 1996 | Benchmade Knife Co., Inc. | Blade lock mechanism for folding knife |
576862, | |||
5781998, | Dec 23 1993 | Sheath style folding knife | |
5802722, | Jul 30 1997 | KAI U S A LTD | One handed knife |
5815927, | Jan 11 1996 | KAI U S A , LTD , DBA KERSHAW KNIVES | Folding knife with actuatable safety locking mechanism |
5822866, | Jan 17 1997 | Mentor Group, L.L.C. | Safety lock for automatic knife |
5826340, | Jan 17 1995 | Buck Knives | Two-piece handle and method of assembly |
5887347, | Oct 16 1997 | Acme United Corporation | Compact folding blade knife with blade locking feature |
5953821, | Jul 25 1997 | Folding tool, such as foldable knife | |
5966816, | Nov 20 1998 | Straight knife with interchangeable pivoting blade | |
6122829, | Jul 12 1996 | Mentor Group, L.L.C. | Folding tool |
6125543, | Jun 02 1999 | Spyderco, Inc. | Dual bladed knife with adjacent dual locking mechanisms |
6145202, | Jun 11 1998 | KAI U S A LTD, | Opening and closing assisting mechansim for folding knife |
6260461, | Sep 08 1999 | Security cutter | |
6434831, | Feb 24 2000 | Chia Yi Ent. Co., Ltd. | Folding knife with safety for blade |
6438848, | Jul 12 1996 | Mentor Group LLC; MENTOR GROUP, L L C | Folding tool with a lock and automatic opener |
6591504, | Jul 12 2001 | KAI U S A LTD | Folding knife with safety lock |
6675484, | Jul 30 2001 | Mentor Group LLC | Folding tool locking mechanism |
6848184, | Oct 08 2002 | KANTAS PRODUCTS CO., LTD. | Single blade foldable knife |
7051440, | Oct 17 2003 | Sinox Co., Ltd.; AUG. Bremicker Sohne KG | Tool device |
7124510, | Jan 29 2004 | GOOD SPORTSMAN MARKETING, L L C | Knife with double-ended rotatable blade |
729378, | |||
7340838, | Jul 12 2001 | KAI U.S.A., Ltd. | Folding knife with safety lock |
7581321, | Nov 07 2005 | GB II CORPORATION DBA COLUMBIA RIVER KNIFE & TOOL | Folding knife |
7752759, | Jan 19 2005 | Folding knife and related methods | |
7774940, | Jan 03 2008 | Dragon Nails, Inc. | Folding knife with puzzle piece locking mechanism |
7941927, | Dec 10 2007 | GOOD SPORTSMAN MARKETING, L L C | Folding knife lock |
821176, | |||
915269, | |||
946132, | |||
978165, | |||
20040088865, | |||
20110107603, | |||
DE1104386, | |||
FR1069862, | |||
RE41259, | Jul 12 1996 | Mentor Group LLC | Folding pocket knife with a lock |
Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Jun 15 2005 | KAI U.S.A., Ltd. | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / |
Date | Maintenance Fee Events |
Jan 15 2015 | M1553: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 12th Year, Large Entity. |
Date | Maintenance Schedule |
Nov 15 2014 | 4 years fee payment window open |
May 15 2015 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Nov 15 2015 | patent expiry (for year 4) |
Nov 15 2017 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4) |
Nov 15 2018 | 8 years fee payment window open |
May 15 2019 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Nov 15 2019 | patent expiry (for year 8) |
Nov 15 2021 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8) |
Nov 15 2022 | 12 years fee payment window open |
May 15 2023 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Nov 15 2023 | patent expiry (for year 12) |
Nov 15 2025 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12) |