Locked Blade Patents (Class 30/160)
  • Patent number: 7124458
    Abstract: A pocket implement magazine includes, a pivot implement which rotates from a closed to an open position and back to the closed position. A latch assembly that communicates with the pivot implement and selectively allows for rotation of the pivot implement and selectively locks the pivot implement in the closed or open position. This latch assembly includes, a latch housing, a rotation portion or area operable to cause rotation of the latch housing, a spring disposed within the latch housing, an off-center biased latch pressed by the spring to extend exteriorly of the latch housing and engage the operational latch aperture of the pivot implement, when the pivot implement is in the open position and engage the storage latch aperture, when the pivot implement is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Inventor: Mehrunissa N. Phelps
  • Patent number: 7124509
    Abstract: A “spring powered toggle joint lock” for a folding knife; comprising a blade lock of three primary elements. A rotating toggle link at the rear of the knife handle connected by a pivoting knee joint to a traveling toggle, which is in turn pivotally joined to the tang of the opening and closing blade. A spring configured so as to constantly urge the pivot points of the rotating toggle and traveling toggle into a straight line, generating an over-center action. The effect of the spring and toggle combination is to propel the opening blade towards open and the closing blade towards closed. Control pins attached to the traveling toggle and protruding to the surface of the handle, on both sides of the handle, provides the means to collapse the toggle lockup by thumb pressure, thereby allowing ambidextrous, one handed manipulation of a toggle locking folding knife.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Inventor: Grant Woodrow Hawk
  • Patent number: 7121005
    Abstract: A hand held device (2) comprising a handle (4), an operational member (6), a control member (10) for controlling the folding of the operational member (6), an arm (12) which connects the control member (10) to the operational member (6), a guide groove (14) which guides the control member (10), a first connecting formation (16) which connects the arm (12) to the operational member (6), and a second connecting formation (18) which connects the operational member (6) to the handle (4), movement of the control member (10) along the guide groove (14) causes the folding of the operational member (6) via the arm (12), in its closed condition operational member (6) is folded into the handle (4) the first connecting formation (16) is further away than the second connecting formation (18) from a first end (20) of the handle (4) that is farthest from both the first and second connecting formations (16, 18), and in its open condition the first connecting formation (16) is nearer than the second connecting formation (18)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Inventor: Mark Hughes
  • Patent number: 7107686
    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: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Buck Knives, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Linn, Paul Naranjo, Paul Kassa, Brandon Hatcher
  • Patent number: 7107685
    Abstract: An apparatus for opening a folding knife is provided. The apparatus may include a plate having an arcuate slot and a substantially linear slot. A cam slide may be provided comprised of an extension which extends into the substantially linear slot, and an opening into which a post connected to a blade device can be inserted. The extension of the cam slide typically can be moved in a substantially linear manner in the substantially linear slot. The substantially linear movement of the extension in the substantially linear slot causes a sharp edge of the blade device to come out of or go into a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Master Cutlery Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Anderson
  • Patent number: 7086157
    Abstract: A folding knife according to one embodiment is provided and includes (a) a handle defining a blade cavity; (b) a blade having a first end which is pivotably coupled to the handle about a pivot; and (c) a biasing element disposed within the blade cavity of the handle. The blade has a detent formed therein on a lower edge thereof proximate to the pivot. The biasing element has a fixed first end and an opposing free second end which has a rounded ball member formed thereat. As the blade is closed towards the retracted position, the blade contacts and deflects the second end of the biasing element until the rounded ball member of the second end engages the blade detent, resulting in the blade being held in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: The Great American Tool Company Inc.
    Inventor: Alney K. Vallotton
  • Patent number: 7080457
    Abstract: A folding knife includes a blade cavity defined by two liner plates into which a pivotal blade may reside. The blade, which is pivotally attached to liner plates at a pivot point, includes a tang having a recess that is parallel to the sides of the blade. A rod is pivotally secured to the blade within the recess. A spring is secured to either or both liner plates at one end and to the rod at the other end so that a pulling action is applied to the blade. The rod is attached to the blade with respect to the pivot point so that the action of the spring forces the blade into the blade cavity until the blade is rotated from the cavity past a critical point of angular displacement, after which the spring forces the blade to its fully open position. The invention further includes a variety of locking arrangements which ensure that once the blade reaches its fully open position, the blade will remain there until the user desires to close it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Inventor: Scott Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7062856
    Abstract: A folding knife, comprising a blade pivotally connected to an elongate handle defining a recessed blade cavity and a blade opening assembly constructed and arranged to assist movement of the blade to an open position, in which the blade is extended. The blade opening assembly comprises, in one example, a bias element and an actuating member. The bias element is housed within the recessed blade cavity and has a free end. The actuating member is pivotally connected to the handle within the recessed blade cavity and is constructed and arranged to engage a portion of the tang of the blade and a portion of the bias element such that the blade may be assisted to the open position. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: United Cutlery Corporation
    Inventor: Rocky Moser
  • Patent number: 7059053
    Abstract: The blade of a folding knife has a tang portion by which the blade is pivoted to a handle for swinging between an open position and a closed position. In the open position the blade extends from the handle with its sharpened edge exposed for use, whereas in the closed position the sharpened edge is received in a groove of the handle. A locking link is pivotally mounted on the handle for swinging in the same plane as the blade, with a swinging end of the locking link cooperating with a notch in the tang to automatically lock the blade in the open position. The blade can be released for movement to the closed position by manipulation of buttons exposed at the exterior of the handle, which buttons extend transversely from the swinging end portion of the locking link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Inventor: Kimi Sakai
  • Patent number: 7051441
    Abstract: A leaf spring assisted opener for a folding tool such as a folding knife. The folding tool includes tool pivotally carried by a handle. The tool defines a tang at the proximal end. A leaf spring is carried within the handle for assisting in the opening of the tool. The leaf spring defines an elongated, arcuate configuration having a distal end adapted to engage the tang of the tool. When in the closed orientation, the leaf spring is biased toward the tang of the tool, thus holding it in the closed position. The tang of the tool defines a shoulder strategically positioned such that as the tool is pivoted from the closed position, the leaf spring eventually engages the shoulder and begins to release the tension in the leaf spring. At this point, the tension in the spring serves to open the tool the remainder of the rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: United Cutlery Corporation
    Inventor: Fred J. Carter, III
  • Patent number: 7036229
    Abstract: A folding knife that provides for a self-opening action as is drawn from the pocket of a user. The knife has a hinged knife blade positioned to be folded into a handle portion for storage when not in use. A blade opening element is mounted on the closed exposed edge of the blade adjacent the handle portion and extends both transversely and longitudinally from the blade so as to be engageable with a portion of the pocket when it is to be retrieved therefrom or by manual manipulation by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Inventor: Andrew Demko
  • Patent number: 7032315
    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 structures, 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: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventor: Jerry P. Busse
  • Patent number: 7020969
    Abstract: A straight knife is disclosed including an interchangeable, pivoting double-ended blade and having a locking member within a handle. A pivot member is inserted through a blade body section to allow pivoting of either blade end to an operative position extended from a blade channel defined by the handle. The locking member is positioned adjacent the blade body section within the blade channel and is composed of a resilient spring material. Upon single-handed manipulation by the user, the locking member is moved from an engaged and locked position to a disengaged position apart from the blade for pivoting of the blade to expose either blade end to an operative position. The blade is removable from the handle upon removal of the pivot member and manipulation of the locking member for inserting another like-configured pivotable blade in the blade channel for single-handedly pivoting the blade to exposed a selected blade end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Robbie E. Roberson
  • Patent number: 7007392
    Abstract: A utility knife having a handle and a blade holder which is pivotally mounted on the handle for movement from an unfolded position to a folded position. The handle has a space adapted to receive the blade holder when the blade holder is in its folded position. The blade holder includes a main wall and guard wall pivotally mounted on the main wall to pivot from an open position to a closed position overlying the main wall. The main wall being adapted to hold a blade so that a blade is interposed between the main wall and guard wall when the guard wall is in its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Great Neck Saw Manufacturers, Inc.
    Inventor: Qiu Jian Ping
  • Patent number: 6968622
    Abstract: A utility knife having a handle and a blade holder which is pivotally mounted on the handle for movement from an unfolded position to a folded position. The handle has a space adapted to receive the blade holder when the blade holder is in its folded position. The blade holder includes a main wall and guard wall pivotally mounted on the main wall to pivot from an open position to a closed position overlying the main wall. The main wall being adapted to hold a blade so that a blade is interposed between the main wall and guard wall when the guard wall is in its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Great Neck Saw Manufacturers, Inc.
    Inventor: Qiu Jian Ping
  • Patent number: 6959494
    Abstract: A folding knife having a blade and integral tang pivotally mounted to a handle with a cantilever spring fixedly attached at one end to the handle and extending to a free, terminal end having a lobed portion. A camming member fixed to the tang has a camming surface spaced from the pivot axis extending through the tang. The lobed portion of the spring contacts the camming surface when the blade is in the fully closed position and remains in contact throughout a first portion of the blade movement toward the open position. The spring is out of contact with the camming surface during a second portion of blade movement, from the end of the first portion to the fully open position. Momentum developed by spring force applied to the camming member during the first portion of blade movement is sufficient to move the blade through the second portion of its movement to the fully open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Camillus Cutlery Company
    Inventor: William J. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6957491
    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: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: The Stanley Works
    Inventors: Gary E. Van Deursen, Stephen Rowlay, Craig Roberts
  • Patent number: 6941661
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventor: Spencer Frazer
  • Patent number: 6836967
    Abstract: A folding knife includes a handle and a blade pivotally supported on the handle. A tang of the blade includes a cam surface. The cam surface has a substantially arcuate guiding portion and an engaging portion that extends continuously from one end of the guiding portion. A notch formed on an upper edge of the handle is provided with a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism includes a guide member, which is fixed to the handle in the notch, a hollow lock tube, which is supported on the guide member, and a coil spring, which is accommodated in the lock tube. The lock tube is movable along the longitudinal direction of the handle between a lock position for engaging the engaging portion and an unlock position separated from the engaging portion. When the blade is in the open position, the coil spring moves the lock tube toward the lock position. Thus, the blade is securely locked in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Gerber Sakai Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiro Sakai
  • Publication number: 20040261272
    Abstract: A folding knife, comprising a blade pivotally connected to an elongate handle defining a recessed blade cavity and a blade opening assembly constructed and arranged to assist movement of the blade to an open position, in which the blade is extended. The blade opening assembly comprises, in one example, a bias element and an actuating member. The bias element is housed within the recessed blade cavity and has a free end. The actuating member is pivotally connected to the handle within the recessed blade cavity and is constructed and arranged to engage a portion of the tang of the blade and a portion of the bias element such that the blade may be assisted to the open position. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Rocky Moser
  • Patent number: 6834432
    Abstract: A pocket knife with lock design is disclosed. This foldable knife has a pivot joint, a blade controlled by the pivot joint, a safety lock corresponding to the side wall of the blade, and a resilient pin, wherein the back end of the blade has a shoulder and a pin catch. The safety lock has a spring tab with a raised head that is moved to touch the back of the blade after the blade is pulled out from the handle by a predetermined angle. The resilient pin is placed in a chamber within inner space of the handle, where one end pushes against the shoulder of the blade for supplementing the driving force to pull out the blade to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Proceeding Corp.
    Inventor: William Joseph Taylor, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040244205
    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: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: Buck Knives, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Linn, Paul Naranjo, Paul Kassa, Brandon Hatcher
  • Patent number: 6810588
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a folding knife that can be unfolded quickly, and its technology mainly resides on installing an elastic bar in a handle of the knife, and such elastic bar matches exactly with a groove hole on the blade body, so that during the process of rotating the blade body, the blade body can be rotated out from an open slot on one side of the handle quickly by the joint mechanism of the elastic bar and the groove hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Kantas Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yang-Fu Cheng
  • Patent number: 6789323
    Abstract: A folding tool such as a knife or multitool has a handle defined by opposed side walls with a slot therebetween. An implement such as a blade is pivotally connected to the handle. A spring such as a liner disposed between the implement and one side wall has a longitudinal slot cut therein and opening on the end adjacent the implement attachment to define a spring arm. The slot includes a constricted zone that is preferably substantially V shaped and has an apex aligned with the pivot axis of the implement. A pin on the implement rides in the slot. When the pin is on the rearward side of the apex the spring arm applies pressure to the implement and prevents it from moving into the open position. The implement is thus safely and securely locked into the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Mentor Group LLC
    Inventor: Stan Moizis
  • Patent number: 6763592
    Abstract: A folding knife having a blade and handle further includes a sheath which receives the exposed edge and knife point of the blade in an accommodating slot. A leaf spring in registry with the accommodating slot has a locking face that locks the blade into place and an unlocking face that releases the blade when the handle is rotated about the locked blade, thus allowing the knife to be released from the sheath in an open position. By use of the sheath, the blade can be double edged and can be longer than the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Li Yu
  • Publication number: 20040134075
    Abstract: A folding knife includes a handle having a first handle half and a second handle half coupled together to define a slot on a longitudinal edge of the handle. A blade is pivotally connected to the handle and rotatable relative to the handle between a folded position and an unfolded position. A slider is movable in an elongated groove of the second handle half. The slider is spring-loaded and tends to be moved towards a front end of the handle, and a slider control is provided for moving the slider away from the front end. Furthermore, the blade has a cutout and the elongated groove of the second handle half is arranged so that the slider may be moved into the cutout when the blade is in its unfolded position, thereby preventing the blade from rotation and hence retaining the blade in this unfolded position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Hui-Tung Chu
  • Patent number: 6751868
    Abstract: This invention relates to folding knives, and more particularly folding knives which have locking mechanisms which engage the knife blade to prevent the inadvertent closing of the knife blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Spyderco, Inc.
    Inventor: Louis S. Glesser
  • Publication number: 20040107580
    Abstract: A utility knife having a handle and a blade holder which is pivotally mounted on the handle for movement from an unfolded position to a folded position. The handle has a space adapted to receive the blade holder when the blade holder is in its folded position. The blade holder includes a main wall and guard wall pivotally mounted on the main wall to pivot from an open position to a closed position overlying the main wall. The main wall being adapted to hold a blade so that a blade is interposed between the main wall and guard wall when the guard wall is in its closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: Great Neck Saw Manufacturers, Inc.
    Inventor: Qiu Jian Ping
  • Patent number: 6732436
    Abstract: A folding tool such as a knife or multitool has a handle defined by opposed side walls with a slot therebetween. An implement such as a blade is pivotally connected to the handle. A spring such as a liner disposed between the implement and one side wall has a longitudinal slot cut therein and opening on the end adjacent the implement attachment to define a spring arm. The slot includes a constricted zone that is preferably substantially V shaped and has an apex aligned with the pivot axis of the implement. A pin on the implement rides in the slot. When the pin is on the rearward side of the apex the spring arm applies pressure to the implement and prevents it from moving into the open position. The implement is thus safely and securely locked into the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Mentor Group LLC
    Inventor: Stan Moizis
  • Patent number: 6701621
    Abstract: A releasable, double locking knife including a body having a cavity and a pair of opposed arms, each having a free end extending into the cavity, and a blade connected to the body for rotation between the closed position wherein the blade is disposed substantially within the cavity and an open position wherein the blade is disposed substantially outside the cavity. The opposed arms engage side surfaces of the blade when the blade is in the closed position to resist movement of the blade out of the closed position. The arms further engage stop surfaces on the blade when the blade is in the open position, thereby locking the blade in the open position. The blade further includes a release mechanism for moving the arms out of locking engagement with the blade to permit movement of the blade out of the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventors: Charles L. Kain, Rohit C. Chopra
  • Patent number: 6698049
    Abstract: A multi-functional tool configured to enable a user to manipulate articles of clothing, the multi-functional tool including a first handle, a second handle, a pivot pin, and a plurality of tools rotatably disposed about the pivot pin. Wherein each tool is configured to provide a specific function to the user of the multi-functional tool. Still further, in accordance with the present invention there is provided a multi-functional tool that includes a plurality of tools configured to manipulate buttons and zippers disposed on articles of clothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas McLoudrey
  • Publication number: 20040020058
    Abstract: A folding knife according to one embodiment is provided and includes (a) a handle defining a blade cavity; (b) a blade having a first end which is pivotably coupled to the handle about a pivot; and (c) a biasing element disposed within the blade cavity of the handle. The blade has a detent formed therein on a lower edge thereof proximate to the pivot. The biasing element has a fixed first end and an opposing free second end which has a rounded ball member formed thereat. As the blade is closed towards the retracted position, the blade contacts and deflects the second end of the biasing element until the rounded ball member of the second end engages the blade detent, resulting in the blade being held in the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: GREAT AMERICAN TOOL CO.
    Inventor: Alney K. Vallotton
  • Publication number: 20030226260
    Abstract: A folding knife includes a blade cavity defined by two liner plates into which a pivotal blade may reside. The blade, which is pivotally attached to liner plates at a pivot point, includes a tang having a recess that is parallel to the sides of the blade. A rod is pivotally secured to the blade within the recess. A spring is secured to either or both liner plates at one end and to the rod at the other end so that a pulling action is applied to the blade. The rod is attached to the blade with respect to the pivot point so that the action of the spring forces the blade into the blade cavity until the blade is rotated from the cavity past a critical point of angular displacement, after which the spring forces the blade to its fully open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventor: Scott Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6651344
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a foldable knife structure, which comprises a handle; a blade pivotably conjoined to a position adjacent to one end of the said handle; a set block adjacent to the pivotable conjoinment position of the blade and the said handle, with the said set block having a detent notch; a spring situated at the other end of the said handle, with the opposite extremity of the said spring extending to a position on the said set block. When the said blade is extended from (or folded into) the said handle, the said spring is against the circumferential edge of the said set block, causing the said set block to produce torsion that rotates the said blade out of (or into) a receiving slot of the said handle, causing the said blade to automatically bound out of (or fold into) the said receiving slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Kantas Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yang-Fu Cheng
  • Patent number: 6618946
    Abstract: A hand-held jack-knife according to the invention essentially comprises a blade and a handle articulated around an axis of rotation. This articulation is formed by a hollow bush the axial opening thereof passes completely through the handle and which is fixedly secured in rotation to the table. The blade can be operated by means of knobs. A stop catch may be formed by a tab, the free end of which may engage in housings of the bush-knob system. This knife finds its application in the fields of, for example, mountain climbing, pot-holing, deep-sea fishing, water and aerial sports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Zedel
    Inventor: Marc Seraphin
  • Publication number: 20030150116
    Abstract: A utility knife include a handle, a neck pivotally mounted on the handle, and a blade mounted in the neck. The neck can be folded into the handle to transport the utility knife. The blade is slidably removably inserted into and out of the handle without requiring disassembly of the handle. The blade is secured to the neck of the knife by a pivotally mounted arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Scala
  • Publication number: 20030136004
    Abstract: A utility knife include a handle, a neck pivotally mounted on the handle, and a blade mounted in the neck. The neck can be folded into the handle to transport the utility knife. The blade is slidably removably inserted into and from the handle without requiring disassembly of the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: Robert E. Scarla
  • Publication number: 20030131478
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a corrosion resistant lock blade knife with a blade made of titanium. The blade is mounted in the handle along with a locking arm made of a substance that is also corrosion resistant. During opening and closing the tang contact edge rubs against the locking arm head. At least one of these surfaces is composed of a corrosion-resistant non-metal or a corrosion-resistant soft metal substance to prevent the gripping and binding effects and excessive that would occur at the contact surface during opening and closing of the knife.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventor: Jonathan Feng
  • Patent number: 6591504
    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: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: KAT U.S.A. Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Onion
  • Publication number: 20030126745
    Abstract: A folding tool such as a knife or multitool has a handle defined by opposed side walls with a slot therebetween. An implement such as a blade is pivotally connected to the handle. A spring such as a liner disposed between the implement and one side wall has a longitudinal slot cut therein and opening on the end adjacent the implement attachment to define a spring arm. The slot includes a constricted zone that is preferably substantially V shaped and has an apex aligned with the pivot axis of the implement. A pin on the implement rides in the slot. When the pin is on the rearward side of the apex the spring arm applies pressure to the implement and prevents it from moving into the open position. The implement is thus safely and securely locked into the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventor: Stan Moizis
  • Patent number: 6574869
    Abstract: Knives (10, 182) each include a handle (12, 184) having a blade (14, 90, 194) pivotally attached to the handle. The blade is movable between a closed posiiton in which it is received within a groove (36, 192) of the handle and an open position. The blade has a working portion (38, 198) and a tang portion (44, 98, 204), which remains within the groove when the blade is in its open position. A locking pin (72, 208) extends transversely of the handle and blade and is movable along a pair of elongated openings (74, 216), and engages the tang portion (44, 98, 204) of the blade to lock the blade in its open position. A spring (78, 228) biases the locking pin toward the tang.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Mentor Group LLC
    Inventors: William J. McHenry, Jason L. Williams, Steven J. Ingram
  • Publication number: 20030070299
    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: August 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Spencer Frazer
  • Publication number: 20030009886
    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: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Onion
  • Patent number: 6490797
    Abstract: A knife blade is locked by selectively moving a blade locking mechanism into and out of alignment with the end surface of the blade. The blade locking mechanism is replaceably mounted on the free end of a spring formed as a part of one of the side panels. The blade locking mechanism is preferably a disc which seats into a conical recess in the end of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Imperial Schrade Corp.
    Inventors: Ronald W. Lake, Michael L. Walker
  • Patent number: 6477777
    Abstract: A foldable pocket knife with an attached backbone. The backbone is pivotally attached to the handle of the knife. A finger hole is located in the rear of the backbone and used to pull the knife from a user's pocket and flip the blade to an exposed opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventor: Joseph A. Oliveri
  • Patent number: 6463663
    Abstract: A folding saw in which either the edge of the blade, the handle or both are curved, to prevent the edge of the blade from being exposed when blade is folded so that the saw can be handled safely. The protective cover in which the edge of the blade can be nestled is placed inside the housing groove of the handle having a semi-U-shaped cross section for housing the blade. The protective cover is retractable with respect to the housing groove, and when the blade is folded, projects out of the housing groove and covers the edge, which may be exposed. The protective cover is preferably energized by a spring so that it covers the edge whenever the blade is folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Kanzawa Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuniyuki Kanzawa
  • Patent number: 6438848
    Abstract: Knives (10, 182) each include a handle (12, 184) having a blade (14, 90, 194) pivotally attached to the handle. The blade is movable between a closed position in which it is received within a groove (36, 192) of the handle and an open position. The blade has a working portion (38, 198) and a tang portion (44, 98, 204), which remains within the groove when the blade is in its open position. A locking pin (72, 204) extends transversely of the handle and blade and is movable along a pair of elongated openings (74, 216), and engages the tang portion (44, 98, 204) of the blade to lock the blade in its open position. A spring (78, 228) biases the locking pin toward the tang. In another tool (119), multiple tool blades (114, 116, 118 and 120) are provided in a handle (112) defining a wider groove (132), and a locking pin (152) movable along elongate openings (150) can lock a selected tool blade in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Mentor Group LLC
    Inventors: William J. McHenry, Jason L. Williams
  • Publication number: 20020104220
    Abstract: Folding knives of the double action type in which a pivoted blade can be moved from the sheathed position within the handle and lock automatically in the unsheathed use position in two different ways at the option of the user, namely, (a) to snap the blade into the use position via spring action by movement of a release trigger or (b) to silently unfold the blade manually into the use position, are improved by providing the knives with hidden release triggers, i.e., triggers that are not apparent to viewers in normal inspection of the knives. A unique form of trigger release is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventor: Anthony L. Marfione
  • Patent number: 6427335
    Abstract: A folding knife having a locking member which is moved by a plunger and coil spring into a locking position, engaging a shoulder on the tang portion of a blade to prevent pivotal movement of the blade away from the fully open position. The locking member is pivotally mounted at one end in a recess in one of the handle members and extends across the cavity between the members to a manually engageable end in a through opening in the other handle member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Camillus Cutlery Company
    Inventor: Darrel Ralph
  • Patent number: 6397476
    Abstract: This invention relates to a mechanism in a folding knife that urges the blade to move to an open and alternatively to a closed position. The knife generally consists of a blade having a tang extending outwardly from the blade; a handle having at least one recessed portion; a bar pivotally connecting the tang and the handle; and a bias element engaging the blade wherein the bias element is housed within the recessed portion of the handle. Generally, in the present invention, the blade must be moved manually a certain distance whereupon the mechanism serves to complete the movement of the blade without the application of further outside force by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Kai U.S.A. Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Onion