Patents by Inventor Kenneth Steigerwalt

Kenneth Steigerwalt 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: 9186801
    Abstract: A folding tool includes a handle, a tool member and a tool member cover. The handle includes a first handle half and a second handle half. One end of the tool member is pivotally retained by the handle. A cover pivot pin is retained in the other end of the first and second handle halves. The cover pivot pin is inserted through a longitudinal slot formed through one end of the tool member cover. A substantially D-shaped slot is formed in the other end of the first or second handle halves. A guide pin extends from the tool member cover. The guide pin is sized to slide freely in the substantially D-shaped slot. The tool member cover is pivoted against the tool member in an open position and pivoted away from the handle to protect the tool member in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Steigerwalt
  • Patent number: 8607460
    Abstract: A single spring arm assisted knife includes a base frame and a blade. A spring arm is formed as an integral portion of the base frame. A frame lock is also formed as an integral portion of the base frame. One end of the blade is pivotally retained by one end of the base frame at a blade pivot point. A thumb stud is secured to the blade. A stop pin is pressed into the base frame, adjacent the blade pivot point. A roller is pivotally retained on one end of the spring arm. An assist cam surface is formed on the one end of the blade to receive the roller. A second embodiment of the single spring arm assisted knife includes a spring arm which is not an integral portion of the base frame, but is attached to the base frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventors: Matthew J. Lerch, Kenneth A. Steigerwalt
  • Patent number: 8042276
    Abstract: A folding knife with thumb release opening includes a knife blade, a first liner plate, a second liner plate, a first handle plate and a second handle plate. The knife blade includes a cutting edge and a point formed on a first end. A second end of the knife blade is pivotally retained by a first end of first and second liner plates. A push button is retained in the knife blade. A liner lock is formed in the second liner plate. A lock pin is pressed into an end of the liner lock and a lock hole is formed in the second end of the knife blade to receive the lock pin. The first and second handle plates cover the first and second liner plates. The push button may be replaced with a thumb disc. A second embodiment includes spring assisted opening and a third embodiment includes automatic opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventors: Matthew J. Lerch, Kenneth A. Steigerwalt
  • Patent number: 7918028
    Abstract: A folding knife with thumb release opening includes a knife blade, a first liner plate, a second liner plate, a first handle plate and a second handle plate. The knife blade includes a cutting edge and a point formed on a first end. A second end of the knife blade is pivotally retained by a first end of first and second liner plates. A push button is retained in the knife blade. A liner lock is formed in the second liner plate. A lock pin is pressed into an end of the liner lock and a lock hole is formed in the second end of the knife blade to receive the lock pin. The first and second handle plates cover the first and second liner plates. The push button may be replaced with a thumb disc. A second embodiment includes spring assisted opening and a third embodiment includes automatic opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Steigerwalt, Matthew J. Lerch
  • Publication number: 20110047800
    Abstract: A folding knife with thumb release opening includes a knife blade, a first liner plate, a second liner plate, a first handle plate and a second handle plate. The knife blade includes a cutting edge and a point formed on a first end. A second end of the knife blade is pivotally retained by a first end of first and second liner plates. A push button is retained in the knife blade. A liner lock is formed in the second liner plate. A lock pin is pressed into an end of the liner lock and a lock hole is formed in the second end of the knife blade to receive the lock pin. The first and second handle plates cover the first and second liner plates. The push button may be replaced with a thumb disc. A second embodiment includes spring assisted opening and a third embodiment includes automatic opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Matthew J. Lerch, Kenneth A. Steigerwalt
  • Patent number: 7562454
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Mentor Group, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kenneth Steigerwalt, Matthew Lerch
  • Publication number: 20090133267
    Abstract: A folding knife with thumb release opening includes a knife blade, a first liner plate, a second liner plate, a first handle plate and a second handle plate. The knife blade includes a cutting edge and a point formed on a first end. A second end of the knife blade is pivotally retained by a first end of first and second liner plates. A push button is retained in the knife blade. A liner lock is formed in the second liner plate. A lock pin is pressed into an end of the liner lock and a lock hole is formed in the second end of the knife blade to receive the lock pin. The first and second handle plates cover the first and second liner plates. The push button may be replaced with a thumb disc. A second embodiment includes spring assisted opening and a third embodiment includes automatic opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Steigerwalt, Matthew J. Lerch
  • Patent number: 7533466
    Abstract: A hand tool such as a fillet knife or limb saw with a blade that is longer than the handle has a blade guard arm that shields the blade when in the closed position. The blade guard arm is longitudinally slidable in the tool handle and engages the blade tang when the blade is in the open position, thereby locking the blade open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Mentor Group, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kenneth Steigerwalt
  • Patent number: 7409766
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Mentor Group LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth Steigerwalt
  • Publication number: 20080083118
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Kenneth Steigerwalt, Matthew Lerch
  • Patent number: 7293360
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Mentor Group, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Steigerwalt, Matthew Lerch
  • Publication number: 20070169351
    Abstract: A hand tool such as a folding knife incorporates a lockback mechanism that is sprung with spring arms extending parallel to the knife body. The spring arms apply biasing force to the lockback mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Kenneth Steigerwalt
  • Publication number: 20070068001
    Abstract: A hand tool such as a fillet knife or limb saw with a blade that is longer than the handle has a blade guard arm that shields the blade when in the closed position. The blade guard arm is longitudinally slidable in the tool handle and engages the blade tang when the blade is in the open position, thereby locking the blade open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventor: Kenneth Steigerwalt
  • Publication number: 20060230620
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Inventors: Kenneth Steigerwalt, Matthew Lerch
  • Publication number: 20060005397
    Abstract: A hand tool such as a multi-bladed folding knife incorporates a lock back mechanism that is interconnected with springs extending parallel to the knife body. The springs apply biasing force to the lock back mechanism associated with the primary blade, and also on secondary blades if used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Inventor: Kenneth Steigerwalt