Abstract: A folding knife includes a handle having a blade channel, a blade rotatably coupled to the handle, and annular blade seals coupled to either side of the blade between the blade and inner surfaces of the blade channel. A locking mechanism having first and second control pins coupled to the blade within the circumference of the blade seal so as to extend toward the first handle element. A lock plate is movably coupled to the handle and engages the first and second control pins when the blade is in the open and closed positions, respectively. A release knob coupled to the lock plate allows a user to move the lock plate to release the blade. A seal positioned between the release knob and the handle seals a space between the release knob and the handle.

Abstract: A pocket clip is attached at a first end to a tool such as a folding knife. A roller assembly is provided at a second end of the clip with a portion extending toward the tool. The roller assembly includes a ratchet wheel between a pair of elastomeric roller wheels. A pawl engages the ratchet wheel and limits rotation of the roller assembly such that the assembly rotates in one direction around an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the tool, and resists rotation in an opposite direction. When the tool is positioned in a user's pocket, a panel of the pocket engages the roller assembly, which rotates substantially freely, permitting the pocket panel to slide easily between the pocket clip and the surface of the tool. However, the roller assembly resists movement of the pocket panel in the opposite direction, holding the tool securely in the pocket.

Abstract: A safety lock mechanism for a folding knife includes a lock plate movably coupled to a handle of the knife for movement along a first direction from an engaged position to a disengaged position, the lock plate biased towards the engaged position. A rocker element is coupled to the lock plate for movement from a locked position to an unlocked position and is configured to prevent translational movement of the lock plate to the disengaged position when the rocker element is in the locked position. A control button coupled to the rocker element allows a user to move the rocker element from the locked position to the unlocked position and to move the lock plate towards the disengaged position to thereby release a blade of the knife.

Abstract: A folding knife includes a handle element, a blade rotatably coupled to the handle element, and a locking mechanism operatively coupled between the blade and the handle element. The locking mechanism includes first and second pairs of toggles positioned, respectively, on first and second sides of the blade, each pair of toggles being configured to move into a locked position when the blade is rotated to an open position. A handle of the knife may include the handle element and the first and second pairs of toggles.

Abstract: A folding knife includes a handle element, a blade rotatably coupled to the handle element, and a locking mechanism operatively coupled between the blade and the handle element. The locking mechanism includes first and second pairs of toggles positioned, respectively, on first and second sides of the blade, each pair of toggles being configured to move into a locked position when the blade is rotated to an open position. A handle of the knife may include the handle element and the first and second pairs of toggles.

Abstract: A folding knife includes a handle element, a blade rotatably coupled to the handle element, and a locking mechanism operatively coupled between the blade and the handle element. The locking mechanism includes first and second pairs of toggles positioned, respectively, on first and second sides of the blade, each pair of toggles being configured to move into a locked position when the blade is rotated to an open position. A handle of the knife may include the handle element and the first and second pairs of toggles.

Abstract: A safety lock mechanism for a folding knife includes a lock plate movably coupled to a handle of the knife for movement along a first direction from an engaged position to a disengaged position, the lock plate biased towards the engaged position. A rocker element is coupled to the lock plate for movement from a locked position to an unlocked position and is configured to prevent translational movement of the lock plate to the disengaged position when the rocker element is in the locked position. A control button coupled to the rocker element allows a user to move the rocker element from the locked position to the unlocked position and to move the lock plate towards the disengaged position to thereby release a blade of the knife.

Abstract: A pocket clip is attached at a first end to a tool such as a folding knife. A roller assembly is provided at a second end of the clip with a portion extending toward the tool. The roller assembly includes a ratchet wheel between a pair of elastomeric roller wheels. A pawl engages the ratchet wheel and limits rotation of the roller assembly such that the assembly rotates in one direction around an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the tool, and resists rotation in an opposite direction. When the tool is positioned in a user's pocket, a panel of the pocket engages the roller assembly, which rotates substantially freely, permitting the pocket panel to slide easily between the pocket clip and the surface of the tool. However, the roller assembly resists movement of the pocket panel in the opposite direction, holding the tool securely in the pocket.

Abstract: A folding knife includes a handle having a blade channel, a blade rotatably coupled to the handle, and annular blade seals coupled to either side of the blade between the blade and inner surfaces of the blade channel. A locking mechanism having first and second control pins coupled to the blade within the circumference of the blade seal so as to extend toward the first handle element. A lock plate is movably coupled to the handle and engages the first and second control pins when the blade is in the open and closed positions, respectively. A release knob coupled to the lock plate allows a user to move the lock plate to release the blade. A seal positioned between the release knob and the handle seals a space between the release knob and the handle.