Knife Locking Systems
A knife locking system is disclosed herein comprising a housing containing a plurality of cavities, a plurality of lockable cases, and a plurality of pivoting means. The lockable case and pivoting means are coupled together and are located within the cavity of housing for lockably storing a knife or set of knives. The pivoting means comprises a compressible spring, a pin, and extensions. The pivoting means and compressible spring work simultaneously when a knife is inserted or withdrawn from the lockable sheath. The lockable case further comprises a peg and extensions. The peg restricts the sheath from moving while in the locked position. The extensions work with the pivoting means and permit the lockable case to pivot through an angle less than about 45 degrees. The lockable sheath(s) are capable of being positioned within the enclosure in a diagonal or parallel relation to one another or in various combinations of diagonal and parallel orientations. The enclosure may further comprise a stay where the stay may or may not be integral with the enclosure.
This application is a non-provisional of, and claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional application No. 6,125,0221 filed on Oct. 9, 2009.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of knives, and more specifically, relates to a knife block having multiple enclosures capable of securing a knife.
2. Description of the Related Art
Knives used for boning, carving, and cutting of meat, vegetables, and other comestibles may be used and stored in modern kitchens. A typical knife comprises the following parts: a point, a tip, an edge, a heel, a spine, a bolster, a finger guard, a return, a tang, scales, rivets, handle, guard, and the tip. Kitchen knives are used in preparing food for human consumption and are typically stored in sheaths, drawers or blocks for ease of access by cooks and other users. Dangers of these current storage schemes may include knives poking or piercing the hand of a cook when rifling through a cutlery drawer looking for the appropriate knife, when a block is tipped over, or when a knife is accidentally dislodged from its sheath. Moreover, standard knife blocks do not prevent the knives from spilling out if the block is knocked over or upended. Children are often able to reach into drawers or remove a knife from a block sometimes without even being able to see the knives and can be seriously injured. Knives stored in blocks on a kitchen counter, can easily be upended or accidentally knocked over, thus spilling the knives and increasing the risk of serious injury.
Various attempts have been made to provide a safe means of protecting users of knives via storage means. There are a variety of knife storage systems available on the market. These range from individual sheaths to wooden blocks with cut-outs into which the knife is inserted. These solutions do not provide an adequate means for preventing the injuries discussed above.
For example, many knife storage blocks are simply blocks of wood or other materials with cut-outs to slide a knife in to. There is no restraint; a knife stays in the block by gravity alone and will slip out of the block is accidentally knocked over. Some attempts to secure a knife in a storage system such as a block can require a notched blade on a knife to operate a locking mechanism. This requires the user to purchase specially designed knives that can only be secured with that particular system. Further, the knives are not capable of being individually locked; if a user wants to unlock one knife, he or she must unlock all of the knives. Therefore, once one knife is unlocked, all knives are unlocked. This does not overcome the dangers related to spilling as discussed above. This type of system also requires two hands to lock or unlock the system which can be cumbersome and further increases the chance for injury.
Other attempts to secure a knife involve securing an individual knife in a sheath. While these systems do provide some security, they can also be cumbersome to use because the user must still use two hands Further, not all sheaths contain a locking mechanism, and for those that do, the locking mechanism in or on the sheath can wear down with repeated use. This can make it more difficult to remove the knife over time and at the same time increase the chance for injury as more force is needed to remove the knife. Additionally, these sheaths do not permit the user to store her knives in a single location (such as a block) and must be stored in a drawer. Chance for injury still remains if, for example, a knife is not inserted into the sheath properly or slips out without the user knowing it. Injuries can result as the user unknowingly rifles through a cutlery drawer filled with unsheathed knives.
Ideally, a locking knife block system should operate reliably as a safe storage means for knives, and be manufactured at a modest expense. A need exists for a reliable, safe, universal locking knife block system that permits the user to efficiently unlock a single knife thus mitigating injury and to avoid the above-mentioned problems. What is also needed is a locking knife storage system which safely stores the knives, prevents their accidental removal, and is capable of securely storing multiple knives of varying types and sizes in one location. Also needed is a knife storage system whereby the user is capable of safely inserting and removing a knife using only one hand. The current invention overcomes the problems with current knife storage systems in several ways.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, in one aspect, the invention broadly provides a secure housing mechanism and locking arrangement for safe and secure removal and insertion of the individual knives of varying sizes as members of a set of knives. A knife locking system is disclosed herein comprising an enclosure with a plurality of cavities, at least one lockable case, a stay, and at least one pivoting means. The lockable case and pivoting means are coupled together and are located within cavity 106 of housing 104 for lockably storing a knife or set of knives. The pivoting means comprises a compressible spring and pin. The pin and compressible spring work simultaneously when a knife is inserted or withdrawn from the lockable case. The knife locking system further comprises a peg. The peg restricts the case from pivoting while in the locked position. The pivoting means permits the lockable case to pivot through an angle less than about 45 degrees. The lockable case(s) are capable of being positioned within the enclosure in a diagonal or parallel relation to one another or in various combinations of diagonal and parallel orientations. The enclosure may further comprise a stay where the stay may or may not be integral with the enclosure. The stay may be perpendicular to the lockable case and works in conjunction with the peg to lockably store the individual members of a set of knives.
A method of storing a knife in a knife locking system is disclosed herein comprising the steps of: inserting a knife into a sheath within a lockable case enclosed within a cavity; depressing a compressible spring; pivoting the lockable case within the enclosure; and allowing the compressible spring to go back into tension thereby creating a locking relationship between the lockable case and the housing. The locking relationship within the method of storing may comprise a peg and a stay. The compressible spring may be depressed allowing the peg to move under and then behind the stay thereby creating a locking relationship between the components. Unlocking the knife may comprise depressing the compressible spring, pivoting the lockable case to move the peg under and then in front of the stay thereby allowing the knife to be removed. The spring returns to a state of tension.
The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a knife storage and locking system. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and description, which are given by way of example only.
The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONReferring now to
Housing 104 may comprise wood, ferrous and/or non-ferrous metals, composites, alloys, plastics, marble, and other such suitable materials. Housing 104 further comprises a plurality of cavity 106. Cavity 106 may be of any dimension sufficient to house a plurality of lockable case 200. Lockable case 200 further comprises sheath 215. It should be understood that sheath 215 is within lockable case and may be the portion of lockable case 200 that knife 110 is inserted to. Sheath 215 may be of any size sufficient to contain a standard kitchen knife of any type. By way of example, a standard set of kitchen knives may include a butcher knife, a paring knife, a bread knife, a vegetable knife, and a set of steak knives. It should be understood that sheath 215 may be configured to contain, but is not limited to the dimensions to any of the aforementioned knives Knife 110 may be inserted into sheath 210 substantially enclosing knife 110 within lockable case 120. In this manner, knife locking system 100 is capable of storing and locking any knife or set of knives as selected by the user.
Lockable case 200 may similarly be of any size sufficient to contain varying sizes and types of knife 110 as contained by sheath 215. It should be understood that sheath 215 is of sufficient size to contain the user-selected knife, but the dimensions do not have to conform exactly to the dimensions of the knife. In other words, knife 110 is not required to fit snugly within sheath 215. It is sufficient if the knife fits inside the sheath; any extra space created by a sheath that is larger than a knife will not affect the functionality of knife locking system 100. It should also be understood that housing 104 is of a sufficient size and shape to permit storing any number and size of cavity 106 and/or lockable sheath 200 according to the user's needs. In this manner, knife locking system 100 can, but is not limited to, storing one particular type or size of knife 110. In this manner, and by way of example, a paring knife may easily be stored along side of and with a set of steak knives, butcher knives, or any other type and combination of knives For example, a standard set of kitchen knives can include a combination of different types and sizes of knives.
As discussed above, cavity 106 is of a sufficient volume to receive at least one lockable case 200. In this manner, cavity 106 functions to contain lockable case 200 and permit movement of the same from locked position 240 to unlocked position 230 and vice versa (shown and discussed in
Knife locking system 100 further comprises at least one stay 130. Stay 130 may be positioned directly over one end of lockable case 200 as shown. Further, stay 130 may be attached to the surface of housing 104 via brads, nails, adhesives, screws, rivets, or any other suitable attaching means. Stay 130 may be comprised of wood, plastics, metals and/or metal alloys, or any material sufficient to secure knife 110 within lockable case 200. When lockable case 200 is in locked position 230, stay 130 is positioned directly over the area between the handle and finger guard of knife 110 (further discussed in
Further, housing 104 may compromise a plurality of cavity 106 and lockable case 200 of different heights as shown. In this manner, knife 110 may be inserted or removed from its lockable case 200 without interfering with the remaining plurality of lockable case 200 when stored within housing 104 of knife locking system 100. It should be understood that cavity 106 may be structured so as to be perpendicular relative to a substrate (such as a counter top) or at an angle relative to the substrate (as depicted in
Referring now to
End 205 (shown and discussed in further detail in
Lockable case 200 further comprises sheath extension 215 (discussed in further detail in
Lockable case 200 is shown in locked position 230 wherein sheath 210 is at a substantially perpendicular relationship to the base of housing 104 such that the handle of knife 110 (not shown) is similarly perpendicular to base of housing 104. In locked position 230, peg 220 rests against stay 130. In this manner, sheath extension 215 works in conjunction with second extension 340 to attach lockable case 200 to second extension 340 of pivoting means 300 (as discussed in
Lockable case 200 is also shown in unlocked position 240 wherein sheath 210 is at a substantially angular relationship such as, for example, approximately 45 degrees to the base of housing 104 such that the handle of knife 110 (not shown) is similarly at an angle, such as, for example, approximately 45 degrees, to the substrate as shown. In unlocked position 230, peg 220 may be behind stay 130 as shown. Locked position 230 and unlocked position 240 are also shown and discussed in
Referring now to
As mentioned above, pivoting means 300 may comprise plate 320. Plate 320 serves the purpose of providing a flat surface to support second extension 340. As mentioned in
As mentioned above, pivoting means 300 further comprises second extension 340. Second extension 340 may be positioned directly above plate 320 as shown. Further, second extension 340 may be attached to plate 320 by molding, adhesives, or any other material suitable for such purpose. Second extension 340 may further comprise at least two identical protrusion 350. Protrusion 350 (shown in
Sheath extension 215 further comprises first aperture 250. Similarly, second extension 340 further comprises second aperture. The diameter and placement of first aperture 250 of sheath extension 215 and the diameter and placement of second aperture 345 of second extension 340 are complementary, meaning that when sheath extension 215 is positioned in or over or around protrusion 350 of second extension 340, first aperture 250 and second aperture 345 will line up exactly.
Pivoting means 300 may further comprise pin 330. Pin 330 may comprise brads, nails, screws, rivets, or any other suitable attaching means suitable to permit it to function as a coupling means between sheath extension 215 and second extension 340. In this manner, pin 330 may be inserted through first aperture 250 and second aperture 345 and functions as the means by which pivoting means 300 allows lockable case 200 to be moved along an axis from locked position 230 to unlocked position 240. Pin 330 may Further, pin 330 comprise wood, ferrous and/or non-ferrous metals, composites, alloys, plastics, marble, and other such suitable materials.
When the user wishes to unlock lockable case 200, he or she may grasp the handle of knife 110 (not shown) and apply pressure in a downward motion to compress spring 310. Once spring 310 is compressed, peg 220 is at a height lower than stay 130. The user may then maintain the downward pressure and move lockable case 200 away from the user so that peg 220 is now behind stay 130 and lockable case 200 is resting against the opposite end of cavity 106. Similarly, when the user wishes to lock lockable case 200, he or she may grasp the handle of knife 110 (not shown) and apply pressure in a downward motion to compress spring 310. The user may then maintain the downward pressure and move lockable case 200 toward the user so that peg 220 is now moved from behind stay 130, passing underneath stay 130 and coming to rest in front of peg 220. In this manner, the spine and bolster of knife 110 (as enclosed by sheath 210 of lockable case 200) provides the mechanism by which sheath 210 of lockable case 200 is pivoted within cavity 106 via pivoting means 300.
When spring 310 is compressed, lockable case 200 within knife locking system 100 comprises unlocked position 240. When lockable case 200 is in unlocked position 240, the front portion of sheath 210 rests against one side of cavity 106. Lockable case 200 is shown pivoted so that lockable case 200 is moved away from the user's body, however, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments of knife locking system 100, knife locking system may be configured such that the user may pull the knife toward her (as opposed to away) to place lockable case 200 in unlocked position 230. In this manner, lockable case 200 may move from locked position 310 to unlocked position 320.
Referring now to
Shield 400 may be attached to the front or back portion of sheath 210, or both, as shown. Further, shield 400 may be sufficient in size to cover the gap between lockable case 200 and cavity 106 that is created when lockable case 200 is in unlocked position 240 or locked position 230. In this manner, food and other debris are thereby prevented from entering cavity 106 within an embodiment of the present invention. When the user moves lockable case 200 from locked position 230 to unlocked position 240 and vice versa, shield 400 moves with lockable case 200 to form a protective barrier as shown in dotted lines. In this manner, when lockable case 200 is moved from unlocked position 230 to locked position 240 and vice versa, shield 400 occupies the space between lockable case 200 and cavity 106 as shown.
Referring now to
When knife 110 is inserted into sheath 210 such that finger guard 405 and handle 410 are the only visible portions of knife 110. When lockable case 200 is moved from locked position 230 to unlocked position 240, shield 400 operates to cover the resulting open space of cavity 106. In locked position 230, finger guard 405 is substantially underneath stay 130 and peg 220 is in front of stay 130 as shown. In locked position 230, lockable case 200 is positioned so that lockable case 200 is in a position within housing 104 closest to the user as shown. In unlocked position 240, finger guard 405 and handle 410 of knife 110 are no longer beneath stay 130. Further, in unlocked position 240, lockable case 200 is positioned so that lockable case 200 is in a position in housing 104 further away from the user as shown. Peg 220 is no longer in front of stay 130 as shown. In unlocked position 240, stay 130 may be positioned directly over the area between finger guard 405 and handle 410 of knife 110. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, unlocked position 240 may be in housing 104 in the position closest to the user and locked position 230 may be in housing 104 in the position furthest from the user.
Referring now to
The insertion step may further comprise step 605 depressing the lockable case thereby compressing the spring and pivoting the lockable case about the centerline axis. The rotation comprises about 45 degrees from the unlocked to the locked position. Insertion is completed by step 606 releasing the pressure on the lockable case thereby allowing the knife to rest under the stay and the peg behind the stay. Step 607 may include unlocking which comprises depressing the compressible spring, rotating the pivotor to move the peg under then in front of the stay and releasing the pressure thereby allowing the knife to be removed.
It should be noted that optional steps 605-607 may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method 600 are illustrated using dotted lines in
It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient.
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A knife locking system comprising:
- a housing containing at least one cavity;
- at least one lockable case containing at least one sheath;
- at least one pivoting means;
- wherein said at least one lockable case and said at least one pivoting means are coupled together and are located within said cavity of said housing for lockably storing at least one knife
2. The knife locking system of claim 1 wherein said pivoting means further comprises a compressible spring.
3. The knife locking system of claim 2 wherein said pivoting means and said compressible spring work simultaneously when said knife is inserted into said lockable case to create at least one rotation.
4. The knife locking system of claim 2 wherein said pivoting means and said compressible spring work simultaneously when said knife is withdrawn from said lockable case.
5. The knife locking system of claim 1 wherein said lockable case further comprises a peg.
6. The knife locking system of claim 5 wherein said peg prevents said lockable case from moving.
7. The knife locking system of claim 1 further comprising at least one shield.
8. The knife locking system of claim 3 wherein said pivoting means permits said lockable case to pivot through an angle less than about 45 degrees.
9. The knife locking system of claim 1 wherein said at least one lockable case is capable of being positioned within said at least one cavity in diagonal relation to another of said lockable case.
10. The knife locking system of claim 1 wherein said at least one lockable case is capable of being positioned within said at least one enclosure parallel to another of said lockable case.
11. The knife locking system of claim 1 wherein said at least one lockable case is capable of being positioned within said at least one cavity in combinations of parallel and diagonal relationships to another of said lockable sheath.
12. The knife locking system of claim 1 wherein said housing further comprises a stay.
13. The knife and block locking system of claim 12 wherein said stay is integral with said cavity.
14. The knife locking system of claim 12 wherein said stay is non-integral with said cavity.
15. The knife locking system of claim 12 wherein said stay is perpendicular to said lockable sheath.
16. A method of storing a knife in a knife locking system comprising the steps of:
- inserting a knife into a lockable case herein said lockable case is enclosed within an cavity with an inner volume;
- depressing a compressible spring;
- pivoting said lockable case within said enclosure; and
- allowing said compressible spring to return to a state of tension creating a locking relationship between said lockable case and said enclosure.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein said locking relationship is achieved with a peg and a stay.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein said compressible spring is depressed allowing said peg to move under then behind said stay.
19. The method of claim 16 wherein unlocking comprises depressing said compressible spring, rotating said means to move said peg under then in front of said stay allowing the knife to be removed.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 9, 2010
Publication Date: Apr 14, 2011
Inventor: Jeffrey B. Curwen (Phoenix, AZ)
Application Number: 12/901,499