Patents by Inventor Kenneth J. Onion

Kenneth J. Onion has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9597809
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of easily disassembled folding knives. In some embodiments, a folding knife includes a blade and a handle including first and second side portions. The first and second side portions can include respective locking elements which can be used to retain the side portions from lateral separation from one another. In some cases, the locking elements of one side portion include relatively narrow neck portions with relatively wide, non-circular head portions connected to the neck portions, and the locking elements of the other side portion include a recess and a corresponding non-circular opening. In some cases, folding knives can be provided with washers, liner lock mechanisms, and various other features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: GB II Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Onion
  • Patent number: 9586328
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of easily disassembled folding knives. In some embodiments, a folding knife includes a blade and a handle including first and second side portions. The first and second side portions can include respective locking elements which can be used to retain the side portions from lateral separation from one another. In some cases, the locking elements of one side portion include relatively narrow neck portions with relatively wide, non-circular head portions connected to the neck portions, and the locking elements of the other side portion include a recess and a corresponding non-circular opening. In some cases, folding knives can be provided with washers, liner lock mechanisms, and various other features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: GB II Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Onion
  • Publication number: 20160067871
    Abstract: A knife includes a handle and a blade coupled to the handle so as to be movable between an open position in which the blade extends from the handle, and a closed position, in which the blade is received within the handle. An assisted opening mechanism is operatively coupled between the blade and the handle, and is configured to provide an opening-assist to the blade. An engagement mechanism is also provided, which is switchable between an engaged condition, in which the assisted opening mechanism is enabled, and a disengaged condition, in which the assisted opening mechanism is disabled such that it does not provide an opening assist to the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Onion
  • Patent number: 9079320
    Abstract: A knife includes a handle and a blade coupled to the handle so as to be movable between an open position in which the blade extends from the handle, and a closed position, in which the blade is received within the handle. An assisted opening mechanism is operatively coupled between the blade and the handle, and is configured to provide an opening-assist to the blade. An engagement mechanism is also provided, which is switchable between an engaged condition, in which the assisted opening mechanism is enabled, and a disengaged condition, in which the assisted opening mechanism is disabled such that it does not provide an opening assist to the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: KAI U.S.A., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Onion
  • Patent number: 8966768
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a folding tool having a handle, a tool element and a ball bearing assembly. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the handle of the folding tool includes a first, second side panel and a first, second side panel liner wherein the ball bearing assembly is positioned between the first side panel liner and the second side panel liner. The ball bearing assembly includes a first bearing race and a second bearing race each race having a ball housing. A plurality of balls reside partially within each ball housing and are positioned to contact an adjacent side surface of the tang of the tool element thereby allowing the plurality of balls to roll along opposing sides of the tang as the tool element is pivoted from the open position to the closed position. In some embodiments, the tool element is a knife blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: GB II Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Onion
  • Publication number: 20140245615
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of easily disassembled folding knives. In some embodiments, a folding knife includes a blade and a handle including first and second side portions. The first and second side portions can include respective locking elements which can be used to retain the side portions from lateral separation from one another. In some cases, the locking elements of one side portion include relatively narrow neck portions with relatively wide, non-circular head portions connected to the neck portions, and the locking elements of the other side portion include a recess and a corresponding non-circular opening. In some cases, folding knives can be provided with washers, liner lock mechanisms, and various other features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: GB II Corporation, dba Columbia River Knife & Tool Company
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Onion
  • Publication number: 20140245616
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of easily disassembled folding knives. In some embodiments, a folding knife includes a blade and a handle including first and second side portions. The first and second side portions can include respective locking elements which can be used to retain the side portions from lateral separation from one another. In some cases, the locking elements of one side portion include relatively narrow neck portions with relatively wide, non-circular head portions connected to the neck portions, and the locking elements of the other side portion include a recess and a corresponding non-circular opening. In some cases, folding knives can be provided with washers, liner lock mechanisms, and various other features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: GB II Corporation, dba Columbia River Knife & Tool Company
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Onion
  • Patent number: 8776381
    Abstract: A folding knife having a handle, a blade pivotably coupled to the handle, and a liner includes a liner lock and a first pivot member that is a post, pin, rod, or other structure having a shape adapted to be slidably received in the second arcuate opening of the blade. The liner further includes a first arcuate opening that has an enlarged end portion and an axis approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle adapted for slidably receiving the second pivot member of the blade. A tang of the blade includes the second pivot member, and the second arcuate opening that has an enlarged end portion and an axis approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the blade. An extended tang portion, or flipper, extends downward from the tang. The handle also includes an opposing liner arranged alongside the liner in the handle with the blade positioned therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Onion
  • Patent number: 8307555
    Abstract: A knife includes a handle and a blade coupled to the handle so as to be movable between an open position in which the blade extends from the handle, and a closed position, in which the blade is received within the handle. A detent mechanism is configured to resist movement of the blade from the closed position toward the open position while less than a threshold bias is applied to the blade toward the open position, but to release the blade to move toward the open position when at least the threshold bias is applied to the blade toward the open position. The threshold bias is of such a degree that, when the blade is released by the detent mechanism, sufficient energy is imparted by the bias to the blade to carry the blade from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Onion
  • Publication number: 20120234142
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a folding tool having a handle, a tool element and a ball bearing assembly. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the handle of the folding tool includes a first, second side panel and a first, second side panel liner wherein the ball bearing assembly is positioned between the first side panel liner and the second side panel liner. The ball bearing assembly includes a first bearing race and a second bearing race each race having a ball housing. A plurality of balls reside partially within each ball housing and are positioned to contact an adjacent side surface of the tang of the tool element thereby allowing the plurality of balls to roll along opposing sides of the tang as the tool element is pivoted from the open position to the closed position. In some embodiments, the tool element is a knife blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Onion
  • Publication number: 20120227268
    Abstract: A folding knife having a handle, a blade pivotably coupled to the handle, and a liner includes a liner lock and a first pivot member that is a post, pin, rod, or other structure having a shape adapted to be slidably received in the second arcuate opening of the blade. The liner further includes a first arcuate opening that has an enlarged end portion and an axis approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle adapted for slidably receiving the second pivot member of the blade. A tang of the blade includes the second pivot member, and the second arcuate opening that has an enlarged end portion and an axis approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the blade. An extended tang portion, or flipper, extends downward from the tang. The handle also includes an opposing liner arranged alongside the liner in the handle with the blade positioned therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Onion
  • Patent number: 8186065
    Abstract: A folding knife having a handle, a blade pivotably coupled to the handle, and a liner includes a liner lock and a first pivot member that is a post, pin, rod, or other structure having a shape adapted to be slidably received in the second arcuate opening of the blade. The liner further includes a first arcuate opening that has an enlarged end portion and an axis approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle adapted for slidably receiving the second pivot member of the blade. A tang of the blade includes the second pivot member, and the second arcuate opening that has an enlarged end portion and an axis approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the blade. An extended tang portion, or flipper, extends downward from the tang. The handle also includes an opposing liner arranged alongside the liner in the handle with the blade positioned therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Onion
  • Publication number: 20110203115
    Abstract: A knife includes a handle and a blade coupled to the handle so as to be movable between an open position in which the blade extends from the handle, and a closed position, in which the blade is received within the handle. A detent mechanism is configured to resist movement of the blade from the closed position toward the open position while less than a threshold bias is applied to the blade toward the open position, but to release the blade to move toward the open position when at least the threshold bias is applied to the blade toward the open position. The threshold bias is of such a degree that, when the blade is released by the detent mechanism, sufficient energy is imparted by the bias to the blade to carry the blade from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Onion
  • Patent number: 8001693
    Abstract: A knife includes a handle and a blade coupled to the handle so as to be movable between an open position in which the blade extends from the handle, and a closed position, in which the blade is received within the handle. A detent mechanism is configured to resist movement of the blade from the closed position toward the open position while less than a threshold bias is applied to the blade toward the open position, but to release the blade to move toward the open position when at least the threshold bias is applied to the blade toward the open position. The threshold bias is of such a degree that, when the blade is released by the detent mechanism, sufficient energy is imparted by the bias to the blade to carry the blade from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Onion
  • Publication number: 20100242288
    Abstract: A folding knife having a handle, a blade pivotably coupled to the handle, and a liner includes a liner lock and a first pivot point that is a post, pin, rod, or other structure having a shape adapted to be slidably received in the second arcuate opening of the blade. The liner further includes a first arcuate opening that has an enlarged end portion and an axis approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle adapted for slidably receiving the second pivot point of the blade. A tang of the blade includes the second pivot point, and the second arcuate opening that has an enlarged end portion and an axis approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the blade. An extended tang portion, or flipper, extends downward from the tang. The handle also includes an opposing liner arranged alongside the liner in the handle with the blade positioned therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Onion
  • Patent number: 7774939
    Abstract: A folding knife includes a handle having a locking surface, a blade coupled to the handle and configured to rotate, relative to the handle, between a closed position and an open position, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a locking post coupled to the blade and configured to move along a slot between a locking and a releasing position, with a biasing member configured to bias the post in the direction of the locking position. The post includes studs positioned above and below the plane of the blade. The studs may be rotatable around the axis, and the slot is positioned such that, when the blade is in the open position, the post may be moved toward the locking position until a face of the stud engages a locking surface of the handle, thereby locking the blade in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: KAI U.S.A., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Onion
  • Patent number: 7716839
    Abstract: A knife is provided including a first side and a second side where the first side may be removably coupled to the second side. The knife further includes a blade removably secured to the handle and rotatable about a pivot point between an open position and a closed position. A manually-releasable fastening device disposed on the handle is adapted to secure the first side to the second side and to secure the blade to the handle, while remaining attached to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: KAI U.S.A., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Onion, Craig Green
  • Patent number: 7506446
    Abstract: A folding knife with a locking mechanism, and a method of assembly of the locking mechanism are disclosed. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism is formed from a second locking element slidably mounted on the blade to engage at least part of a first locking element on the handle and lock the blade in the open position. The second locking element and blade may be configured to allow simple, one-handed locking and unlocking of the blade with a single thumb-actuated motion. The second locking element also may be configured to allow one-handed opening and/or closing of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: KAI U.S.A., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Onion
  • Patent number: RE42906
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Kai U.S.A., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Onion
  • Patent number: D730137
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Darex, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Onion, Daniel T. Dovel, Matthew S. Ferdinand, Steven L. Baker