Patents Assigned to Mentor Group LLC
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Patent number: 7409766Abstract: A hand tool such as a multi-bladed folding knife incorporates a lock back mechanism t hat is interconnected with springs extending parallel to the knife body and with pins that interconnect the springs. The springs apply biasing force via the pins to the lock back mechanism associated with the primary blade, and also on secondary blades if used.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Mentor Group LLCInventor: Kenneth Steigerwalt
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Patent number: 7305768Abstract: A hand tool—typically embodied as a knife—incorporates a blade or implement lock mechanism for securely locking the implement such as a blade in the open position. The lock mechanism locks the blade in the open position and allows it to be released so that the blade may be folded back into the closed position. The locking mechanism incorporates a safety mechanism that prevents the blade engaging lock from becoming unintentionally disengaged.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2005Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Mentor Group, LLCInventor: Rick Hinderer
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Patent number: 7305769Abstract: An out-the-front automatic knife incorporates dual locking and release mechanisms that define a three-point blade-handle interconnection between the blade and the handle when the blade is locked in the open position. A single trigger is operable to automatically open the knife, and to automatically close the knife. Separate firing and retraction springs may be provided with different spring strength to vary the speed and strength of the blade moving to the open position, and to the closed position. Blade guide systems cause the blade to travel longitudinally and linearly. The handle substantially encloses the blade and incorporates an access port to facilitate cleaning and maintenance of components housed in the handle interior.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2006Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Mentor Group, LLCInventors: William McHenry, Steven Ingram
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Patent number: 7293360Abstract: A folding knife incorporates an opening assist mechanism that functions to drive the blade from the closed to the open position. The knife may be either automatic or semi-automatic. In one embodiment a pair of spring arms, one located to each lateral side of the blade is interconnected at their forward ends with a pin and a roller sleeve. The spring arms apply pressure to the tang of the blade when the blade is closed.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2006Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Mentor Group, LLCInventors: Kenneth Steigerwalt, Matthew Lerch
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Patent number: 6789323Abstract: A folding tool such as a knife or multitool has a handle defined by opposed side walls with a slot therebetween. An implement such as a blade is pivotally connected to the handle. A spring such as a liner disposed between the implement and one side wall has a longitudinal slot cut therein and opening on the end adjacent the implement attachment to define a spring arm. The slot includes a constricted zone that is preferably substantially V shaped and has an apex aligned with the pivot axis of the implement. A pin on the implement rides in the slot. When the pin is on the rearward side of the apex the spring arm applies pressure to the implement and prevents it from moving into the open position. The implement is thus safely and securely locked into the handle.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2003Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: Mentor Group LLCInventor: Stan Moizis
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Patent number: 6732436Abstract: A folding tool such as a knife or multitool has a handle defined by opposed side walls with a slot therebetween. An implement such as a blade is pivotally connected to the handle. A spring such as a liner disposed between the implement and one side wall has a longitudinal slot cut therein and opening on the end adjacent the implement attachment to define a spring arm. The slot includes a constricted zone that is preferably substantially V shaped and has an apex aligned with the pivot axis of the implement. A pin on the implement rides in the slot. When the pin is on the rearward side of the apex the spring arm applies pressure to the implement and prevents it from moving into the open position. The implement is thus safely and securely locked into the handle.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2002Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Mentor Group LLCInventor: Stan Moizis
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Publication number: 20040045171Abstract: A folding tool such as a knife or multitool has a handle defined by opposed side walls with a slot therebetween. An implement such as a blade is pivotally connected to the handle. A spring such as a liner disposed between the implement and one side wall has a longitudinal slot cut therein and opening on the end adjacent the implement attachment to define a spring arm. The slot includes a constricted zone that is preferably substantially V shaped and has an apex aligned with the pivot axis of the implement. A pin on the implement rides in the slot. When the pin is on the rearward side of the apex the spring arm applies pressure to the implement and prevents it from moving into the open position. The implement is thus safely and securely locked into the handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2003Publication date: March 11, 2004Applicant: Mentor Group LLCInventor: Stan Moizis
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Patent number: 6675484Abstract: A folding tool such as a knife or multitool and the like has a resilient lever arm formed in a body portion. A blade pivotally connected to the body is movable between closed and open positions. A blade locking pin is carried on the lever arm, and in the normal resting position the blade locking pin engages the blade. When the blade is in the open position the lever arm biases the locking pin into locking engagement with a notch formed in the blade tang, thereby locking the blade in the open position. Actuating the lever arm disengages the locking pin from the blade, allowing the blade to be moved into the closed position. The blade may have a second notch or hole formed in the tang for engagement of the blade locking pin when the blade is closed, thereby locking the blade into the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2001Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Mentor Group LLCInventors: William J. McHenry, Jason L. Williams
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Patent number: 6574869Abstract: Knives (10, 182) each include a handle (12, 184) having a blade (14, 90, 194) pivotally attached to the handle. The blade is movable between a closed posiiton in which it is received within a groove (36, 192) of the handle and an open position. The blade has a working portion (38, 198) and a tang portion (44, 98, 204), which remains within the groove when the blade is in its open position. A locking pin (72, 208) extends transversely of the handle and blade and is movable along a pair of elongated openings (74, 216), and engages the tang portion (44, 98, 204) of the blade to lock the blade in its open position. A spring (78, 228) biases the locking pin toward the tang.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2000Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Mentor Group LLCInventors: William J. McHenry, Jason L. Williams, Steven J. Ingram
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Patent number: 6550832Abstract: An actuator mechanism is defined by a lever arm that is integrally connected to resilient spring members. The lever arm is movable between first and second positions and is normally biased into the first position in which the actuator may engage an adjacent member, for example to provide a fluid-tight sealing relationship of to lock the adjacent member in a stationary position relative to the lever arm. Movement of the lever arm into the second position releases the engagement with the adjacent member. In one embodiment the actuator is defined by a pair of overlapping, oppositely oriented slots cut into a monolithic member to define both the lever arm and the spring members. The lever arm rocks in a teeter-toter fashion when actuated and both ends of the lever arm can be utilized to perform work.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2001Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Mentor Group, LLCInventors: William J. McHenry, Jason L. Williams
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Patent number: 6438848Abstract: Knives (10, 182) each include a handle (12, 184) having a blade (14, 90, 194) pivotally attached to the handle. The blade is movable between a closed position in which it is received within a groove (36, 192) of the handle and an open position. The blade has a working portion (38, 198) and a tang portion (44, 98, 204), which remains within the groove when the blade is in its open position. A locking pin (72, 204) extends transversely of the handle and blade and is movable along a pair of elongated openings (74, 216), and engages the tang portion (44, 98, 204) of the blade to lock the blade in its open position. A spring (78, 228) biases the locking pin toward the tang. In another tool (119), multiple tool blades (114, 116, 118 and 120) are provided in a handle (112) defining a wider groove (132), and a locking pin (152) movable along elongate openings (150) can lock a selected tool blade in an open position.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2000Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: Mentor Group LLCInventors: William J. McHenry, Jason L. Williams
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Patent number: 6430816Abstract: A folding tool (14, 60) including a locking mechanism for keeping a knife blade (2, 72) or other tool blade in an extended position or a folded position with respect to a handle (1, 62). A locking body (3, 90, 90′, 142, 150, 162) extending between the sides (16, 18, 64, 68) of the handle (1, 62) is moveable transversely, between a locking position and a releasing position. A flat locking face (42, 102) of the locking body (3, 90) engages a flat engagement surface (44, 104) on the blade (2, 72) when the blade is in the extended position. A ball detent including a projecting ball surface (98) and a mating detent cavity (112) may be used to keep the blade in its folded position with respect to the handle. Another detent includes inclined surfaces (128, 132).Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1999Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: Mentor Group, LLCInventor: Yves Neveux
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Patent number: D438442Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2000Date of Patent: March 6, 2001Assignee: Mentor Group LLCInventor: Warren Osborne
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Patent number: D447925Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2000Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: Mentor Group LLCInventor: Warren Osborne
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Patent number: D553482Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2006Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: Mentor Group, LLCInventors: Paulo Cesar Franco Magalhaes, Gregory Brooks Harrison, Joseph Daniel Verbanac, Steven James Ingram, Duane Paul Burgess
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Patent number: RE41259Abstract: Knives (10, 182) each include a handle (12, 184) having a blade (14, 90, 194) pivotally attached to the handle. The blade is movable between a closed position in which it is received within a groove (36, 192) of the handle and an open position. The blade has a working portion (38, 198) and a tang portion (44, 98, 204), which remains within the groove when the blade is in its open position. A locking pin (72, 208) extends transversely of the handle and blade and is movable along a pair of elongated openings (74, 216), and engages the tang portion (44, 98, 204) of the blade to lock the blade in its open position. A spring (78, 228) biases the locking pin toward the tang.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1998Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Mentor Group LLCInventors: William J. McHenry, Jason L. Williams
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Patent number: D426132Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1999Date of Patent: June 6, 2000Assignee: Mentor Group, LLCInventor: Melvin M. Pardue
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Patent number: D431991Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2000Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: Mentor Group, LLCInventor: Allen Elishewitz
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Patent number: D432386Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2000Date of Patent: October 24, 2000Assignee: Mentor Group, LLCInventor: Allen Elishewitz
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Patent number: D433913Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1999Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Assignee: Mentor Group, LLCInventor: Melvin M. Pardue