Locked Blade Patents (Class 30/160)
  • Publication number: 20090277015
    Abstract: In a folding knife in which a release button is used to lock the blade in the open and/or closed positions, and to release the blade from being locked, the release button has a shank portion that does not extend past the axial centerline through the button. The tang of the blade may therefore be made long enough that the lockup between the tang and the release button is more secure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: Mentor Group, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Wes DUEY
  • Publication number: 20090271989
    Abstract: In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a folding knife has a biasing mechanism, such as a spring, that applies an opening force to the blade when the blade is in the closed, or folded, position (i.e., the force of the spring creates a moment in the opening direction of the blade). The folding knife includes a latching mechanism that holds the blade in a closed and latched position against the opening force of the spring. To open the blade, manual pressure is applied to the upper edge of the blade (the edge opposite the sharpened edge) to move the blade slightly to a closed and unlatched position to release the blade from being held from the latching mechanism whereupon the blade is then free to pivot under the opening force of the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventor: Edward Tate VanHoy
  • Patent number: 7603778
    Abstract: A knife having two modes of operation includes a blade member, a first side plate, a second side plate, a spacer, a mode lever, and a linear spring. The spacer is disposed between the first and second side plates in an upper area thereof. A pivoting end of the blade member is pivotally retained between first ends of the first and second side plates. The mode lever is pivotally retained between the second ends of the first and second side plates, below the spacer. The linear spring is pivotally retained between the first and second side plates, below the spacer such that one end thereof engages one of two positions on the mode lever. A release button must be depressed to allow the blade member to pivot outward into an extended position in either mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Inventor: Matthew J. Lerch
  • Patent number: 7600322
    Abstract: A folding knife has a handle and a blade. The blade is pivotally coupled to the handle. The handle includes a latch element, a resilient element and a turning element. An end of the resilient element is fixed into the handle. The latch element is pivotally coupled into the handle. An end of the latch element is extended to an end of the blade. Another end of the latch element presses against another end of the resilient element. The resilient element pushes the latch element to turn the blade out from the handle or store the blade completely into the handle. The turning element is pivotally coupled into the handle, such that when a force is exerted to push the latch element towards the resilient element to release the blade, the blade can be movably turned out from the handle or stored into the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Inventor: Chih-Chen Kao
  • Publication number: 20090223061
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include a tool. The tool may include a working portion, e.g. a blade, and a holding portion, e.g., a blade holder, wherein the blade and the blade holder are coupled in such a manner that the blade may be positioned in a plurality of configurations with respect to the blade holder. The blade and blade holder may include one or more of an engagement element and/or engagement element receiver that are configured for being coupled together in such a manner that the blade is substantially prevented from moving relative to the blade holder. The blade and/or blade holder may include a plurality of engagement elements and corresponding engagement element receivers such that the blade is capable of being moved incrementally with respect to the blade holder. Also provided are methods of using the tool as well as specialized packaging for offering the tool for sale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: Seber Design Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett P. Seber, Wesley James Tom
  • Patent number: 7578064
    Abstract: A folding knife having a blade locking member carried for sliding movement within a channel defined in the handle, the locking member being movable to a blade locking position when the blade is in an extended position. A spring, or other biasing means, such as an opposing magnet arrangement, provide a spring-like biasing of the locking member towards a blade locking. In one embodiment, the locking member extends substantially the full width of the handle and is accessible from either side of the knife handle. The locking member includes a ramp on the underside thereof for contacting a projection, or bump, on the rearward portion of the blade tang. An adjustable bushing is provided which allows for adjustment of the blade within the handle to provide for both ease of pivoting of the blade, while reducing any lateral play in the blade within the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Inventor: Jerry P. Busse
  • Publication number: 20090183374
    Abstract: A foldable knife comprises a blade having an end pivotally connected to an end of a handle, and a spring having two ends connected to the handle and blade respectively, so that the spring can apply a torque to the blade to rotate the blade out of the handle. A blocking element is provided at an inner portion of the handle. A switch element pivotally connected to the inner portion of the handle has a first end extended out of the handle. When the blade is completely received in the handle, a second end of the switch element bears against the blade. When the user pushes the first end of the switch element, a positioning portion formed on the blocking element is disengaged from an engaging portion formed on the blade, so that the torque of the spring drives the blade to spring out of the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventor: Chih-Chen Kao
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7555839
    Abstract: A fishing knife has a handle defining a blade slot and a blade pivotally mounted between open and closed positions on a pivot pin extending through the handle. The blade has a tip, a sharp edge and back. A line cutter including a recess is defined in the blade back and a line cutting edge extends across the recess. The recess is disposed away from the tip of the blade. The line cutter is a replaceable cutter insert received in a matingly configured slot defined by the blade. The handle defines a recess cooperatively that exposes the line cutting edge when the blade is closed. The blade defines an arcuate pivot slot having enlarged lock openings at each end. A spring biased blade lock plunger extends through the pivot slot, and has a lock portion that fits in the lock openings to secure the blade in closed and open positions. The plunger is axially shiftable to position a release portion in the pivot slot, permitting the blade to pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: ZeeBaas LLC
    Inventor: Robert W. Koelewyn
  • Publication number: 20090144986
    Abstract: A biasing system for the blade of a folding knife includes one component or assembly applying a force tending to move the knife blade from a closed position, nested in the handle, to an open position, extending from the handle. A second component or assembly resists opening of the blade, particularly when the blade is in or near the closed position. The resisting force is overcome by the opening force after the blade has been moved through a predetermined angle relative to the handle, so that the blade then opens automatically. A safety can be actuated to block opening and/or closing of the blade. The blade can have a blunt projection upon which a user may press to move the blade through the predetermined opening angle. A clip can be provided for convenient attachment of the folding knife to an object such as a garment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: Spencer Frazer
  • Patent number: 7543386
    Abstract: A folding knife includes a handle defining a knife receiving chamber and including first and second inner plates disposed in spaced relation between a pair of outer plates. The folding knife also supports a blade having a tip end and a tang end that is pivotally attached to the handle and is pivotable between a retracted position where the blade is disposed in the knife receiving chamber and an extended position where the blade resides outside of the handle. The first inner plate has a slot formed therein so as to define a lock member that has a locking edge that is biased inwardly towards the blade and having an extension projecting outwardly from the locking edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Inventor: Scott L. Sullivan
  • 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: 7536788
    Abstract: A folding knife includes a handle portion and a blade pivotally coupled to the handle portion for pivoting movement between an open position and a closed position. The knife can include a locking mechanism that retains the blade against pivoting movement when it is in the open position. In particular embodiments, the blade is coupled to the handle portion such that the application of pressure to the blade in a predetermined direction causes displacement of blade relative to the handle portion in the plane within which the blade pivots. The displacement of the blade relative to the handle portion is effective to release the blade from the locking mechanism and allow the blade to be pivoted to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: GB II Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Tate VanHoy, Tanya Dion VanHoy, Tong Chiu
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090013537
    Abstract: The invention discloses a folding knife having a knife handle and a blade. A pivotal shaft is at an end of the knife handle; a limit slot is inside the knife handle; and a latch element is in the limit slot. The blade is pivotally coupled to the knife handle through the pivotal shaft. The blade includes a protruding pillar corresponding to a latch portion. When the blade is stored into the knife handle, the protruding pillar is fixed between the limit slot and the latch element, and the blade will not pivot out of the knife handle due to shakes or vibrations. If a predetermined force is applied to rotate the blade towards the knife handle, the protruding pillar will rotate in conformity with the blade and push the latch element, so that the protruding pillar is released and rotated with the blade in the limit slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: Chih-Chen Kao
  • Patent number: 7469476
    Abstract: A folding knife having an improved locking mechanism that keeps the knife in an open extended use position until specific close actions are initiated. The improved locking mechanism provides a safety pin that is secured within the frame elements so as to be positioned between the knife blade and the free end of a locking bar that is spring urged thereagainst imparting improved force transfer locking structure thereto with wear adjustably pivot engagement points of the locking mechanism under spring urged locking engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Cold Steel
    Inventor: Andrew Demko
  • Publication number: 20080307656
    Abstract: A flick knife with a lever frame has a hilt, a blade, a lever frame and a spring. The blade has a proximal end pivotally mounted in the hilt. The lever frame is mounted through the hilt and has a front connector that abuts the proximal end of the blade to rotate the blade, and a rear connector. The spring is mounted inside the hilt and connects the hilt to the rear connector of the lever frame and eases opening of the blade and prevents the blade from opening. Because the spring is mounted in the hilt, the knife is thinner than prior art and therefore more convenient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Paul LIN
  • Patent number: 7458159
    Abstract: A folding knife includes a handle and a blade attached thereto and configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position. A locking element is coupled to the handle, while a pawl is coupled to the blade and configured to engage the locking element as the blade rotates to the closed position, such that the blade is locked in the closed position thereby. Opening pressure on the pawl causes it to release the locking element and also causes the blade to rotate from the closed position toward the open position. The knife blade may include a flicker positioned to extend from a back portion of the handle when the blade is in the closed position. The pawl is coupled to the flicker such that pressure on the flicker causes the pawl to release the locking moves the blade toward the open position. The folding knife may also include an opening assist mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Kai U.S.A., Ltd.
    Inventors: Timothy James Galyean, Kenneth J. Onion, Craig Green
  • Publication number: 20080289191
    Abstract: A folding utility knife has a handle and a blade holder pivotally mounted on he handle. The blade holder is movable between (i) a closed position with the blade holder pivoted inwardly toward the handle, (ii) a cutting position with the blade holder pivoted outwardly relative to the handle, and (iii) a blade release position located between the closed position and the cutting position. A blade release actuator is located on the blade holder and is movable between (i) a first position preventing release of a utility knife blade located on the blade holder, and (ii) a second position permitting release of a utility knife blade located on the blade holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Norman LeBlanc, Steven R. Levine, Christian S. Leyden
  • Patent number: 7437822
    Abstract: A safety mechanism that protects against inadvertent closure of the blade of a folding knife. In one embodiment, the safety mechanism is implemented in a folding knife having a liner lock with a flexible, resilient locking element. The safety mechanism is movable between a safety position in which the safety mechanism interferes with movement of the flexible locking element to its unlocked position and a release position in which the locking element can be moved to its unlocked position for closing the blade. The safety mechanism is resiliently biased toward the safety position and is retained in this position unless sufficient pressure is applied to the safety mechanism to overcome the biasing force. A biasing mechanism, such as a spring, can be used to apply the required biasing force to the safety mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: GBII Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas B. Flagg, Pat Haudbine, Tong Chiu
  • Publication number: 20080222896
    Abstract: A field-strippable folding knife which can be disassembled without special tools is disclosed. The knife has a blade a tang, and a handle. The handle comprises a male handle portion and a female handle portion which can be joined together. The tang may have two stops. The stops are engaged by a blade locking system to fix the blade in an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: MICROTECH KNIVES, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony L. Marfione, Anthony G. Marfione
  • Publication number: 20080201953
    Abstract: A folding knife in exemplary embodimentsTong comprises a handle portion, a blade, a locking cross-bolt, and a motion limiting member coupled to the handle. When the blade is in the closed position, the motion limiting member is in a first position that prevents the cross-bolt from moving to its locked position. When pivoting the blade to the open position, the motion limiting member moves to a second position that does not prevent the cross-bolt from moving to its locked position. A biased safety mechanism can also be used to block the cross-bolt from moving to an unlocked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Rodney L. Bremer, Douglas B. Flagg, Tong Chiu
  • Patent number: 7380340
    Abstract: A folding tool with inlay release preferably includes a blade, a lock side plate, a release side plate, a cantilever spring and a release inlay. One end of the blade is pivotally retained between the lock side plate and the release side plate. One end of the cantilever spring is attached to the lock side plate and the other end is biased to contact the one end of the blade. A rocker bar is pivotally retained in the release side plate. One end of the rocker bar captures a biased end of the cantilever spring. The release inlay is used to pivot the other end of the rocker bar to release the one end of the rocker bar to allow the blade to be released from a closed position. A slide lock prevents the rocker bar from being released by the release inlay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventor: Matthew J. Lerch
  • Publication number: 20080110027
    Abstract: A multiblade knife unit includes knife blades of different type normally stored within and adapted for deployment from a common end of a handle housing. A pivoting knife blade is supported for pivotal movement between a stored position nested substantially within one side edge of the handle housing, and a deployed position projecting from one end of the handle housing. A razor-type utility knife blade is supported by a slide clip for sliding displacement between a retracted position stored and concealed within the handle housing, and an advanced position projecting from said one end of the handle housing. A release button on the handle housing is depressed for releasing the utility knife blade from the slide clip for facilitating quick and easy slide-out blade removal and replacement. In one form, the knife unit may further include driver bits interchangeably mounted at an opposite end of the handle housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: I.D.L. TECH TOOLS, LLC
    Inventors: Brett P. Seber, Eric B. Carmichael, Wesley James Tom
  • Patent number: 7360267
    Abstract: A multi-tool includes a handle having a blade that is rotatable between open and closed positions by at least one blade rotation member mounted on the side of the handle and includes an internal socket located in the handle opposite the blade end, where the socket is adapted to removably receive various tool implements. The tool implements are held in locked engagement with the handle by a cantilevered tool lock located on the handle. The blade includes two locking recesses adapted to receive a locking member mounted to a cantilevered blade lock that extends longitudinally along the handle such that the blade is securely locked in either an open or closed position. The blade rotation members rotate a cam that disengages the blade lock from the blade and imparts rotational motion to the blade by way of a drive pin located on the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Inventor: Philip J Quenzi
  • Publication number: 20080086895
    Abstract: A utility knife in accordance with the present invention combines a cutting tool and a hole punch into a single compact, efficient tool. The utility knife includes a recess into which the cutting blade is retracted and another recess to store a hole punch. The hole punch pivots from one end the body so that a piece of material to be punched can be placed between the hole punch and the body. The hole punch is pivoted towards the body to punch through the material. The punch mechanism pushes confetti from the material into a confetti storage cavity within the body. A user can open the confetti storage door to discard the confetti stored within the body. The present invention also allows a user to store extra cutting blades within a recess in the hole punch arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas Jerald Parks
  • Patent number: 7340838
    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 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: KAI U.S.A., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Onion
  • Patent number: 7340837
    Abstract: A folding knife having a blade locking member carried for sliding movement within a channel defined in the handle, the locking member being movable to a blade locking position when the blade is in an extended position. A spring, or other biasing means, such as an opposing magnet arrangement, provide a spring-like biasing of the locking member towards a blade locking. In one embodiment, the locking member extends substantially the full width of the handle and is accessible from either side of the knife handle. The locking member includes a ramp on the underside thereof for contacting a projection, or bump, on the rearward portion of the blade tang. An adjustable bushing is provided which allows for adjustment of the blade within the handle to provide for both ease of pivoting of the blade, while reducing any lateral play in the blade within the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Inventor: Jerry P. Busse
  • Patent number: 7326228
    Abstract: A medical instrument especially suited for the HALS operating technique that can be entirely inserted together with one of the surgeon's hands into the operating area for operating purposes and includes a housing [(1)] and at least one tool [(2)] arranged in the housing [(1)], where the tool [(2)] can be moved between a rest position arranged in the housing [(1)] and a working position extending out of the housing [(1)].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alfred Cuschieri, Timothy Graham Frank
  • Patent number: 7325312
    Abstract: A folding knife having a handle, a pivoting blade guard, and a pivoting blade. Both the guard and the blade pivot on a common pivot pin that is secured to or within the handle. Both the handle and the guard feature at least one arcuate slot that extends in an arc around the pivot pin. A tang pin located in the tang of the blade rides in the arcuate slots and serves as a stop for both the handle and the guard, limiting the range of their rotation on the pivot pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Blackhawk Industries Product Group Unlimited LLC
    Inventor: Michael D. Janich
  • Patent number: 7313866
    Abstract: A spring assist folding knife and method of biasing a blade in a folding knife. The folding knife includes a blade, liner, and handle. The blade includes a first recess for receiving a pivot pin. The blade includes a second recess offset from the axis of rotation. A latch cam having an offset pin is located relative to the second recess. The liner includes an arcuate slot in which the offset pin of the latch cam is located. The arcuate slot within the liner or handle also includes a convex extension. A spring is configured to provide a force in the direction of blade opening and provides the force throughout the entire range of blade motion. The spring applies its force to the offset pin to bias the blade in the closed position until the blade reaches a predetermined angle. Then the spring biases the blade to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Buck Knives, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Linn, Paul Naranjo, Paul Kassa, Brandon Hatcher
  • Publication number: 20070289141
    Abstract: A folding knife with a retractable clip is disclosed. The folding knife comprising at least two rigid plates and at least one knife blade that is pivotally attached therebetween. The retractable clip includes a base portion slidably fixed between two of the at least two rigid plates. The base portion includes a generally rectangular guide slot formed therethrough, and the knife includes a guide pin fixed between the two rigid plates of the knife and traversing the guide slot of the base portion. The retractable clip further includes an elongated clip member. In use, when in a retracted position, the retractable clip is substantially contained between the two rigid plates of the knife. Alternately, in an extended position, the clip member of the retractable clip laterally extends outwardly away from between the two rigid plates of the knife, the guide slot and guide pin cooperating to prevent further extension of the clip member and the base portion past a certain point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventor: Joseph Caswell
  • Patent number: 7302760
    Abstract: A folding knife having a handle including a first side and a second side spaced apart to define a cavity; a blade including a cutting surface and a tang; and a holding mechanism including a piston adapted to be manually moved and having a first stop element of a first dimension and a first opposing element of a second dimension greater than the first dimension, at least a second stop element fixed on the tang, and at least a second opposing element also fixed on the tang, the first opposing element being adapted to be moved to a hold position when the blade is in one of the closed and open positions, in which the first opposing element seats against the second opposing element, the first stop element substantially engages the second stop element, and the blade is held in the one position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Fiskar Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald W. Lake
  • Patent number: 7296354
    Abstract: A combination utility and sporting knife includes a longitudinal knife handle, a utility blade carrier disposed within the handle and linearly movable within the handle, a utility blade carried by the blade carrier, a manual movable blade moving member operatively connected with the blade carrier, and a pivotally movable blade pivotally connected to the handle. The utility blade and the pivotally movable blade are extendable from opposite ends of the handle. The utility blade edge and the pivotally movable blade edge both are exposed towards the bottom portion of the handle when the pivotally movable blade and the utility blade are in operative positions thereof so that the bottom and top portions of the handle retain their relative bottom and top orientations for use of either the utility blade or the pivotally moveable blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: The Stanley Works
    Inventors: Gary E. Van Deursen, Stephen Rowlay, Craig Roberts
  • Patent number: 7296355
    Abstract: A folding knife is disclosed. The folding knife includes a handle; a blade connected to the handle in a manner allowing movement of the blade between a closed position in which the blade extends along the handle and an open position in which the blade extends away from the handle; and a blade-assisting mechanism configured to apply a manually adjustable force to urge the blade towards the open position over at least a portion of the blade travel between the closed position and the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Kai U.S.A., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Onion
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7284329
    Abstract: A folding knife having a handle and a blade pivotally attached to the handle for pivoting between a retracted position and an extended position. A cantilever member is connected to the handle, and the cantilever member includes a free end. The blade includes a first stop and a second stop, and the first stop and the cantilever member are configured such that upon the blade being in the retracted position, the free end of the cantilever member bears against the first stop to selectively maintain the blade in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Randall King Knives, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall S. King
  • Patent number: 7278213
    Abstract: A hand tool such as a folding knife that incorporates a blade stop pin that stops rotation of the blade in the open position is described. The stop pin defines a multifaceted face having plural surfaces, each having a radial distance from an axial centerline that is different from adjacent surfaces. Rotation of the stop pin allows for adjustment of the stop position of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Mentor Group, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Melvin Pardue, Steven Ingram
  • Patent number: 7275321
    Abstract: A folding knife assembly includes a knife handle, a knife body, and a brake portion, wherein the knife body can be turned into or out of the knife handle, and the brake portion is movably coupled to a pivotal position of the knife handle and the knife body. If the knife body is folded completely into the knife handle, an end of a resilient element will press precisely on the periphery of the brake portion, such that the resilient element produces a torque to turn the brake portion into the knife handle. If the knife body is turned gradually out from the knife handle, the resilient element will produce a torque to turn the knife body out from the knife handle, and the knife body will be popped out automatically from the knife handle, so as to effectively prevent the knife body from being popped out accidentally by vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Kantas Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yang-Fu Cheng
  • Patent number: 7249417
    Abstract: A pocketknife has a handle, a blade, a safety lock and a spring. The handle has a blade seat, a cover, a cavity, a slide slot, a passage and a pivot slot. The blade is mounted pivotally in the cavity and has a proximal end, two opposite edge and two wheels. The wheels are attached respectively to the edges of the blade, and one wheel has an engaging element. The safety lock is mounted slidably in the handle and has a slide and a latch. The slide is mounted slidably in the slide slot. The latch engages detachably the engaging element in the locking wheel on the blade. The spring is mounted in the slide slot in the handle and presses the safety lock so that the latch on the slide engages the engaging element to securely hold the blade when the blade is open or closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Inventor: Chi-Tung Chu
  • Publication number: 20070169355
    Abstract: A low friction folding knife has a blade with a distal end and a tang. The tang has a slot disposed in the thickness of the tang with a roller cam extending slightly outside of the perimeter of the tang and rotatably attached within the slot. There is a handle with a first outer side parallel and attached to a first liner, a second outer side parallel and attached to a second liner. The first liner and the second liner are spaced apart and parallel leaving a blade slot for receiving the blade when the folding knife is in the closed position. The blade is pivotally coupled to the handle with a pivot bolt. There is a safety assembly disposed within the first outer handle that has a safety stud extending through a safety slot in the first outer handle for moving the safety assembly between a safe position and a safe off position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Ronald W. Lake
  • Patent number: 7246441
    Abstract: An automatic folding knife having a sear provided on a pivoting blade, and an engagement member, configured for upward movement, for selectively engaging the sear. The engagement member extends generally to the exterior of each side portion of the handle. A spring-biased cable biases the blade towards the extended position, and the engagement member is configured for engaging the sear upon the blade being in the retracted position. The blade is configured to automatically pivot from the retracted position to the extended position upon the engagement member being lifted upwardly, and the engagement member also automatically locks the blade in the extended position. The knife can readily be converted to an assisted opening knife having in significant part the components of the automatic knife.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Walter W. Collins
  • Patent number: 7243430
    Abstract: A folding knife with opening and closing assistance preferably includes a blade, a first frame, a second frame, a coil spring, an open lock pin and a closed lock pin. One end of the blade is pivotally retained between one end of the first and second frames. The open lock pin is preferably retained in the second frame. An open lock notch is formed in a first end of the blade such that the blade may be locked in an open position with the open lock pin. The closed lock pin is radially spring loaded between the first and second frames. A closed lock notch is formed in the first end of the blade to receive the closed lock pin. The blade is locked in a closed position, when the closed lock pin is retained in the closed lock notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: Matthew J. Lerch
  • Patent number: 7234241
    Abstract: A pocketknife has a handle, a blade, a lock assembly and a pivot pin assembly. The handle has a lower cover, an upper cover, a block and a blade lock. The blade is mounted pivotally in the handle and has a curved guide. The lock assembly is mounted in the handle and has a safety lock and a latch. The safety lock is attached to the blade and has a latch guide. The latch is mounted in the handle and has a resilient latch tab. The latch tab corresponds to the curved guide on the blade and engages the latch guide on the safety lock when the blade is closed in the handle. The pivot pin assembly is mounted through the handle, the blade and the safety lock. The lock assembly keeps the closed blade from being opened unintentionally by external impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Inventor: Chi-Tung Chu
  • Patent number: 7231718
    Abstract: A locking tool includes a handle and an elongated tool blade having a body and a tang. The tool blade has a tang spline opening formed therein which defines an annular array of alternate spline teeth and splined slots. A transversely-extending lock member has a spline ring with an annular array of alternate spline ribs and spline grooves formed thereon complementary to the tang spline opening, and is translatable between a locked position and a released position. The tool blade is attached to the handle by the locking member such that when the lock member is in the released position, the tool blade is freely pivotable about the locking member. When the lock member is in the locked position, the spline ring engages the tang spline opening such that the tool blade is retained in one of a plurality of predetermined angular positions relative to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: James Timothy Outen
  • Patent number: 7222429
    Abstract: A folding knife includes a handle having a distal portion and a proximal portion, and a blade rotatably connected to the distal portion of the handle. The blade may be moveable between an opened position and a closed position, and may have at least one lock member receiving recess formed therein. The folding knife may further include a lock bar pivotally connected to a medial portion of the handle and moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The lock bar may include a lock member which contacts a respective portion of the blade adjacent the lock member receiving recess to define a contact point between the lock member and the blade when the blade is in the opened position and the lock bar is in the engaged position. The folding knife may also include a lock pin connected to the handle adjacent the lock member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: John W. PerMar, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7174590
    Abstract: A multi-tool includes a handle having a blade that is rotatable between open and closed positions by at least one blade rotation member mounted on the side of the handle. The blade includes two locking recesses adapted to receive a locking member mounted to a cantilevered blade lock that extends longitudinally along the handle such that the blade is securely locked in either an open or closed position. The blade rotation members rotate a cam that disengages the blade lock from the blade and imparts rotational motion to the blade by way of a drive pin located on the blade. Preferably, the multi-tool also includes an internal socket located in the handle opposite the blade end, where the socket is adapted to removably receive various tool implements. The tool implements are held in locked engagement with the handle by a cantilevered tool lock located on the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Philip J Quenzi
  • Patent number: 7165329
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a folding knife comprising a flat member within a handle thereof, the flat member comprising a latch having an open end proximate a pivot pin of a blade on the handle, the latch including a projection on its one surface, the projection being adapted to be pressed by a sliding block so as to allow the latch to exert a downward force onto the blade wherein a sliding movement of the slide is adapted to cause the sliding block to compress a resilient member toward a rear end of the handle for disengaging the sliding block from the projection and for pivoting the blade either out of or into the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Inventor: Chih-Chen Kao
  • Patent number: 7146736
    Abstract: An assisted opening folding knife having a blade with an engagement surface extending generally radially outwardly with respect to the pivot axis of the blade. A cantilevered leaf spring contacts the engagement surface and immediately urges the blade to the extended position upon the blade pivoting through a predetermined angle from the retracted position. An elongated engagement member is pivotally connected to the handle and configured for pivoting between a blade locking position and an unlocking position. In one embodiment, the cantilevered leaf spring also urges the engagement member towards the blade locking position. The engagement member automatically locks the blade in the extended position, and the cantilevered leaf spring, the blade, and the engagement member all substantially extend in the pivot plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Inventor: Walter W. Collins
  • Patent number: 7140110
    Abstract: A folding knife is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventor: Ronald W. Lake