Locked Blade Patents (Class 30/161)
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Patent number: 8046923Abstract: A fold knife comprising a handle and a blade hinged to the handle. The fold knife further comprises a switch mechanism for manual and semi-automatic operation which is positioned in the inner chamber of the handle. The switch mechanism for manual and semi-automatic operation has a first position in which it is allowed to manually open the blade from the handle and a second position in which it is allowed to automatically open the blade from the handle. The fold knife is capable of easily switching between the manual operation condition and the semi-automatic operation condition by means of the switch mechanism for manual and semi-automatic operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2008Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignees: Power Source Industries Co., Ltd., Nextorch Industries Co., Ltd.Inventor: Guanpeng Liu
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Patent number: 8042276Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 8, 2010Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Inventors: Matthew J. Lerch, Kenneth A. Steigerwalt
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Patent number: 8028419Abstract: In one embodiment, a folding knife comprises a handle portion and first and second nesting blades pivotally coupled to the handle portion for pivoting movement between respective open and closed positions. The second blade in one embodiment is formed with a recess or notch which is sized and shaped to receive the first blade, allowing both blades to pivot within a common plane. The knife can also include a locking mechanism that is operable to retain the blades against pivoting movement when the blades are in their respective open positions. In particular configurations, the locking mechanism comprises a resilient locking arm configured to lock both blades in their open positions or first blade alone in its respective locking position. In certain embodiments, a folding tool comprises plural nesting tool elements other than knife blades.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2006Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: GB II CorporationInventor: Edward Tate VanHoy
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Patent number: 8001693Abstract: A knife includes a handle and a blade coupled to the handle so as to be movable between an open position in which the blade extends from the handle, and a closed position, in which the blade is received within the handle. A detent mechanism is configured to resist movement of the blade from the closed position toward the open position while less than a threshold bias is applied to the blade toward the open position, but to release the blade to move toward the open position when at least the threshold bias is applied to the blade toward the open position. The threshold bias is of such a degree that, when the blade is released by the detent mechanism, sufficient energy is imparted by the bias to the blade to carry the blade from the closed position to the open position.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2006Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Inventor: Kenneth J. Onion
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Patent number: 7987601Abstract: The folding tool has one side-plate (1a) and the other side-plate (1b). A part of the rear side of the other side-plate (1b) or an arm-like plate (2) attached as a separate body is used as an inwardly pressing member, and a projection (3) is provided at the head of the arm-like plate (2). The base end of the body (5) having at its end a rear recess (6) is foldably pivotally attached by means of a support shaft (4) to the base ends of both the one side-plate and the other side-plate. The projection (3) and the recess (6) of the body (5) are engaged with and locked to each other.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2006Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Mentor Group, L.L.C.Inventor: Seiichi Nakamura
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Patent number: 7979990Abstract: A safety lock mechanism for a folding knife includes a lock plate movably coupled to a handle of the knife for movement along a first direction from an engaged position to a disengaged position, the lock plate biased towards the engaged position. A rocker element is coupled to the lock plate for movement from a locked position to an unlocked position and is configured to prevent translational movement of the lock plate to the disengaged position when the rocker element is in the locked position. A control button coupled to the rocker element allows a user to move the rocker element from the locked position to the unlocked position and to move the lock plate towards the disengaged position to thereby release a blade of the knife.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2008Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: KAI U.S.A., Ltd.Inventors: Grant W. Hawk, Gavin D. Hawk
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Publication number: 20110167647Abstract: A folding knife for applying a cutting action is provided that includes a blade assembly having a guard configured to cover the cutting edge of the blade when the knife is not in use. The guard is maintained in a normally blade covered position by a resilient member. The blade guard has a guard actuator for providing at least one motion for a user to move the blade guard from the normally blade covered position to an un-guarded or cutting position. The folding knife comprises a housing having the blade assembly locked in a closed position and is pivotably associated with the housing. The knife further comprises an actuator for unlocking the blade assembly from the closed position to a locked open position. The actuator further comprises a locking tab and the blade assembly further comprises a locking slot. The locking tab is configured to lock the blade guard in the un-guarded or cutting position. The housing further comprises a resilient member urging the blade assembly in the open position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2011Publication date: July 14, 2011Inventors: Donald Gringer, Yuan Fang Cheng
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Publication number: 20110119926Abstract: A folding lock back knife apparatus includes a blade having a tip and a tang portion pivotally connecting to a handle of unitary construction formed from a continuous piece of metal having an integral locking mechanism and integral locking end portion, the locking end portion proximal to the pivot hole positioned to stop the blade from pivoting past the open position and the locking mechanism having a locking bar integral with a support arm continuously formed between a locking end portion and a pressure pad end constructed and arranged to lock the blade in relation to the handle when the locking end portion engages the at least one tang notch and unlocks the blade in relation to the handle when force is applied to the pressure pad end in the direction of the handle flexing the support arm, thereby disengaging the locking end portion from the tang notch.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2010Publication date: May 26, 2011Inventor: Glenn Klecker
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Patent number: 7941927Abstract: A folding knife having a movable locking element that locks the blade in open position and retains the blade in secure closed position within an integrated spaced parallel monolithic handle frame member. A spring-urged locking retainment arm engages corresponding parallel portions of the blade shank when in respective locked open and locked closed positions. Sliding longitudinal displacement of the retainment arm allows for progressive engaged rotation of the blade shank about a pivot mounting point to a fully closed and locked position against two blade shank engagement points by the locking arm.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2007Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Cold SteelInventor: Andrew Demko
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Publication number: 20110107603Abstract: A folding knife/tool with a unique bi-directional latching mechanism that latches two handle-halves in the open and closed position. The said handle halves rotate about the same pivot as the blade/tool end. One handle half can be pivoted , unlatched, from the other, therefore allowing the handle halves to pivot exposing and securing the blade in the open, or closed position. The latching mechanism allows for Top Handle-Half to rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise relative to the Bottom Handle-Half and connect securely into the same latching mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2010Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicants: 888 ProfessionalInventors: David Matthew Giuntoli, Walter Kaihatu
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Patent number: 7930958Abstract: A blade housing for an electronic cutting apparatus includes an outer housing having a distal end, an inner housing coupled to the inner housing and longitudinally selectively adjustable relative thereto and a blade rotatably coupled to the inner housing with a sharpened distal end. Adjustment of the inner housing relative to the outer housing adjusts an amount of the blade that protrudes from the distal end of the inner housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2006Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Provo Craft and Novelty, Inc.Inventors: Robert Emmett Workman, William Craig Youse, Jason B. Brinkerhoff, Jonathan Aaron Johnson, James R. Gunter, Rodney Stock, Phil Beffrey
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Patent number: 7921752Abstract: A multi-function hand tool with a pivotally collapsible jaw-type tool that has a jaw lock which mechanically prevents the jaw-type tool from collapse. The jaw lock mechanism is contained within the jaw pivot joint of the jaw-type tool, and may be partially extended as a push button to prevent unwanted handle collapse. A plurality of blades are pivotally attached to the opposite end of the multi-function tool, which has a blade locking mechanism wherein the blade lock is pivoted about an axis located distal to the blade fastener/pivot axis. Each handle of the multi-function tool may be made of two individual handle halves that unite to form the handle, but that provide very precise tensioning, or the handles may be of a single channel shape using an infinitely adjustable threaded fastener and sleeve to provide precise adjustment of the multiple blades.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2008Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Leatherman Tool Group, Inc.Inventor: Paul W. Poehlmann
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Patent number: 7918028Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 22, 2008Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Inventors: Kenneth A. Steigerwalt, Matthew J. Lerch
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Patent number: 7913397Abstract: A folding pocket utility knife includes a front handle, and a rear handle pivotally mounted to the front handle via a pivot. The rear handle contains a cavity configured to contain at least a portion of the front handle within the cavity. A blade holder is mounted inside the front handle for holding a blade, and a bendable blade strap is attached to the blade holder and to the rear handle. The blade strap extends around an outer circumference of the pivot to move the blade holder from a closed position where the front handle is in the cavity and the blade is completely within the front handle, to an open position where the front handle is not in the cavity and the blade extends from a terminal end of the front handle.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2009Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: American Safety RazorInventor: Gary E. van Deursen
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Patent number: 7913398Abstract: A folding knife has a handle, a blade, a locking rod and an unlocking lever. The handle has a dorsal portion. The blade is pivotally mounted and selectively folded in the handle and has a notch. The notch is formed on a spine of the blade. The locking rod is mounted on the dorsal portion of the handle and has a locking end and a protrusion. The protrusion is formed on the locking end and engages the notch of the blade. The unlocking lever is pivotally mounted on the handle and has a pushing end and at least one propping block. The propping block protrudes from the unlocking lever and abuts the locking rod. Therefore, the folding knife allows users to release the blade by either directly pressing the locking rod or pushing the pushing end of the unlocking lever.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2008Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Inventor: Li-Pen Chu
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Publication number: 20110067247Abstract: A locking mechanism for a folding knife includes a thumb post which longitudinally moves along slots in the handle of the knife. The thumb post is urged by a spring loaded locking lever into a notch in the base of the blade of the knife. When so positioned the thumb post retains the blade in an extended position. When the user pushes the thumb post out of the notch, the blade can be folded into the handle of the knife. In another embodiment the thumb post is an integral part of the locking lever, and it is a tab on the locking lever rather than the thumb post engages the notch in the base of the blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2010Publication date: March 24, 2011Inventor: Yi Huang
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Patent number: 7905022Abstract: A folding knife includes a handle element, a blade rotatably coupled to the handle element, and a locking mechanism operatively coupled between the blade and the handle element. The locking mechanism includes first and second pairs of toggles positioned, respectively, on first and second sides of the blade, each pair of toggles being configured to move into a locked position when the blade is rotated to an open position. A handle of the knife may include the handle element and the first and second pairs of toggles.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2010Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: KAI U.S.A., Ltd.Inventors: Grant W. Hawk, Gavin D. Hawk
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Patent number: 7905023Abstract: A folding tool such as a knife has an implement such as a blade pivotally attached to the handle with a pivot shaft, allowing the implement to be rotated from a closed to an open position. The invention allows the diameter of the pivot shaft to be varied, thereby allowing the diameter of the shaft to be effectively increased in the area where the implement rotates about the shaft so that the shaft extends to and makes contact with the interior surface of the bore through the implement, without restricting the ability of the blade to freely rotate about the shaft, minimizing or eliminating any tendency of the implement to wiggle relative to the handle.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2008Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Mentor Group, L.L.C.Inventor: James Westerfield
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Publication number: 20110023308Abstract: 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 mounted together and adapted to receive a blade therebetween and a locking pivotally mounted on the blade holder to lock the blade in place.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Inventor: Qiu Jian Ping
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Publication number: 20110010947Abstract: A folding knife includes a handle, an axle coupled to a first end of the handle, and a blade rotatably coupled to the axle. The blade includes a working portion and a tang, the blade having an open position in which the working portion extends from the handle and a closed position in which the working portion is substantially received within the handle. The folding knife further includes a lock having a locked position in which the lock prevents rotation of the blade and an unlocked position in which the lock permits rotation of the blade. The knife further includes a spring arm in the handle and a safety coupled to the handle, the safety having a first position in which the safety deflects the spring arm into the path of the lock to maintain the lock in the locked position and a second position in which the safety permits the lock to move from the locked position to the unlocked position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2009Publication date: January 20, 2011Inventor: Jeffrey Freeman
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Publication number: 20100325897Abstract: A lock mechanism for a folding knife has a first cover, a first casing, a block and a resilient sheet. The block is mounted pivotally on the first cover. The resilient sheet is mounted adjacent to the block. The tang of the blade of the folding knife abuts the block. When operating the knife in one hand, a thumb is used to press the block and disengage the blade. Then a forefinger can be safely used to press the back of the blade into the chamber of the hilt. Therefore, the folding knife is safely folded.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2009Publication date: December 30, 2010Inventor: Hui-Tung Chu
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Publication number: 20100313427Abstract: A folding knife convenient to carry comprises a left handle plate and a right handle plate mutually connected via a fixing element, a blade mounted between the left handle plate and the right handle plate through a pivot, and a leaf spring connected to or integrally formed with the left handle plate or the right handle plate, wherein when the blade is in its open position, the leaf spring retrieves its normal position under the blade and presses its head top surface against a rear end of the blade that an angle A is formed between the head top surface of the leaf spring and the vertical cross surface of the blade, and when the blade is in the folded position, the leaf spring is depressed laterally to move to a predetermined space defined between the left or the right handle plate to the blade, wherein an angle B equal to the angle A is formed between the rear end of the blade and the vertical cross surface to make the rear end of the blade meets the head top surface of the leaf spring, and the rear end of theType: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2009Publication date: December 16, 2010Inventor: Yen-Chuan HSU
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Publication number: 20100299934Abstract: The present disclosure concerns embodiments of a folding knife having a locking mechanism for locking a blade in open and/or closed positions. The locking mechanism a first locking element on the blade and a corresponding second locking element on the handle that is adapted to engage the first locking element when the blade is in open and/or closed positions. The blade can be mounted on a leaf spring in the handle for pivotal movement relative to the handle between the open and closed positions. The leaf spring functions to support the blade and provide a biasing force that resiliently biases in a direction laterally toward the second locking element on the handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2010Publication date: December 2, 2010Inventor: Edward Tate VanHoy
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Publication number: 20100299933Abstract: A utility knife includes an elongate handle having a blade track system therein, the blade track system having a blade pivot point therein; an elongate blade mounted in the blade track system, the blade having a blade slot extending along a majority of its length, and a sharpened cutting/scraping edge extending along a side of the blade; wherein the blade is shiftable between a closed configuration, wherein the cutting/scraping edge is enclosed within the handle, to a first open configuration by rotating about the blade pivot point and in the blade track system, wherein the blade extends longitudinally outward from an end of the handle, and wherein the blade is shiftable along the blade track system between the first open configuration and a second open configuration wherein the blade is located towards another end of the handle and extends downwards from a bottom of the handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2009Publication date: December 2, 2010Inventor: Isaac Vellekamp
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Publication number: 20100299935Abstract: 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 mounted together and adapted to receive a blade therebetween and a locking lever pivotally mounted on the blade holder to lock the blade in place.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2010Publication date: December 2, 2010Inventor: Qiu Jian Ping
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Publication number: 20100275447Abstract: A folding knife comprises a lock configured to more securely hold the blade in an extended position than conventional locks of conventional knives. The folding knife includes a handle, a blade movable relative to the handle to an extended position, and the lock that retains the blade in the extended position. The blade includes a cutting edge, and a tang that has a cavity and that is attached to the handle and pivotable about a pivot axis. The cavity includes a central axis parallel or substantially parallel with the pivot axis and that is located a distance away from the pivot axis that is greater than the distance between the pivot axis and the end of the handle. The lock includes a pin moveable relative to the handle and insertable into the cavity to retain the blade in an extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2010Publication date: November 4, 2010Inventor: Daniel C. PERREAULT
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Patent number: 7814664Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 21, 2007Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool CompanyInventors: Norman LeBlanc, Steven R. Levine, Christian S. Leyden
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Patent number: 7774939Abstract: A folding knife includes a handle having a locking surface, a blade coupled to the handle and configured to rotate, relative to the handle, between a closed position and an open position, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a locking post coupled to the blade and configured to move along a slot between a locking and a releasing position, with a biasing member configured to bias the post in the direction of the locking position. The post includes studs positioned above and below the plane of the blade. The studs may be rotatable around the axis, and the slot is positioned such that, when the blade is in the open position, the post may be moved toward the locking position until a face of the stud engages a locking surface of the handle, thereby locking the blade in the open position.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2005Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: KAI U.S.A., Ltd.Inventor: Kenneth J. Onion
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Patent number: 7774940Abstract: A locking mechanism for a folding knife or tool with a handle having a cavity defined within the handle; a knife or tool blade having a heel-butt end with a female puzzle cavity portion cut out of a rear side of the heel-butt end, and the heel-butt end being rotationally interconnected to the front end of the handle wherein the knife or tool blade travels between an extended position and a closed position within the handle cavity; and a matching male puzzle portion at an end of a tang portion configured for engaging snugly and interconnectively with the female puzzle cavity portion at the heel-butt of the blade.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2008Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Dragon Nails, Inc.Inventor: Bram Frank
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Publication number: 20100192382Abstract: A hand saw includes a saw blade, a handle, and a blade carrier. The saw further includes a blade clamp assembly having a locking member that removably couples the saw blade to the blade carrier so that the saw blade pivots with the blade carrier about a pivot axis. An actuating button is manually movable generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the saw blade by the user between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the actuating button engages the blade carrier to retain the blade carrier and the saw blade in one of an extended position and a folded position. In the disengaged position, the actuating button is disengaged from the blade carrier so that the blade carrier and the saw blade can be pivoted between the extended and the folded positions of the saw blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Inventors: Wade Burch, Michael S. Steele, Jason R. Crowe, Michael Naughton
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Publication number: 20100175267Abstract: A utility knife includes a handle and a pivotably connected blade retainer for retaining a blade. An external, symmetrically toothed gear is fixed relative to one of the handle or the blade retainer, and a locking mechanism is associated with the other. The locking mechanism cooperates with the gear to lock the blade retainer in one of a plurality of fixed positions and includes pawls located in channels having converging ends. A manually actuable release mechanism is associated with the locking mechanism for unlocking the blade retainer to permit pivotal movement. Furthermore, a manually actuable blade release mechanism is associated with a blade locking mechanism contained in the blade retainer, for locking and releasing the blade when exchanging a dull blade for a replacement blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2010Publication date: July 15, 2010Applicant: SEBER DESIGN GROUP, INC.Inventors: Brett P. Seber, Wesley James Tom
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Patent number: 7752759Abstract: A folding knife comprises a lock configured to more securely hold the blade in an extended position than conventional locks of conventional knives. The folding knife includes a handle, a blade movable relative to the handle to an extended position, and the lock that retains the blade in the extended position. The blade includes a cutting edge, and a tang that has a cavity and that is attached to the handle and pivotable about a pivot axis. The cavity includes a central axis parallel or substantially parallel with the pivot axis and that is located a distance away from the pivot axis that is greater than the distance between the pivot axis and the end of the handle. The lock includes a pin moveable relative to the handle and insertable into the cavity to retain the blade in an extended position.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2006Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Inventor: Daniel C. Perreault
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Publication number: 20100132198Abstract: A folding knife includes a handle element, a blade rotatably coupled to the handle element, and a locking mechanism operatively coupled between the blade and the handle element. The locking mechanism includes first and second pairs of toggles positioned, respectively, on first and second sides of the blade, each pair of toggles being configured to move into a locked position when the blade is rotated to an open position. A handle of the knife may include the handle element and the first and second pairs of toggles.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2010Publication date: June 3, 2010Applicant: KAI U.S.A., Ltd., dba Kershaw KnivesInventors: Grant W. Hawk, Gavin D. Hawk
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Patent number: 7721448Abstract: A folding knife comprises a blade and a handle, wherein the handle is formed by bending a metal sheet into a shape of inverted U-section for clamping an item (e.g., a lighter) therein and comprises a latch formed by punching on one side thereof adjacent to the receiving space in a direction opposite to the receiving space. The blade has one end pivotably secured to one end of the other side of the handle having the latch and the one end of the blade is lockingly fastened by the latch when the blade is in its opened position. The blade is unfastened when a predetermined pressing force is exerted on the latch toward the receiving space such that the blade may pivotably retract onto the other side of the handle. Thus, the folding knife can be mounted with the item (e.g., the lighter) for the functions of cutting and lighting.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2008Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Inventor: Chih-Chen Kao
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Patent number: 7698821Abstract: The folding knife of the present invention includes a handle having first and second handle members that are maintained in spaced, parallel relation to one another by spacing elements that define a groove therebetween. The blade is pivotally attached to the handle at its tang portion and is movable into and out of the groove between its fully open and fully closed positions. A coil spring, or equivalent, may be interconnected between the tang and handle to provide an assisted opening mechanism. A blade lock includes a user actuated button that passes through an elongated slot formed through one of the handle members and through a circular opening formed through a bias plate that is positioned within the handle, and a plunger element that is spring biased in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the blade.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2006Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Inventor: Darrel Ralph
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Publication number: 20100088899Abstract: A carabiner with a folding utility knife is provided, and the carabiner comprises: a handle element with two opposing first and second ends, the handle element has a cavity; a gate element for connecting the first and second ends of the handle element to form a handle element aperture, the gate element has opposing ends, at least one end of the gate element is pivotally attached to at least one end of the handle element, the gate element is movable to a closed position and an opened position; a blade; and a blade holder compartment having a front end and rear end, the rear end of the blade holder compartment is pivotally attached to at least a portion of the handle, the blade holder compartment comprises a cavity for receiving the blade, and the front end of the blade holder compartment has an aperture for allowing a portion of the blade to protrude from the aperture, and the blade holder compartment is movable to a closed position and an opened position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2009Publication date: April 15, 2010Inventors: Michael Garcia, Joseph Deguglimo
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Publication number: 20100083507Abstract: A folding knife locking mechanism is provided which maintains the open and closed positions associated with the folding knife. A carrier assembly for the locking mechanism for changing the folding knife from the closed to the open position is also disclosed. In one embodiment, the folding knife comprises a carrier assembly for positioning a spherical locking mechanism against the tang of the knife, without the need for scales or other retaining elements typical in prior art knives.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2008Publication date: April 8, 2010Applicant: Spyderco, Inc.Inventor: Eric G. Glesser
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Patent number: 7681316Abstract: A folding knife includes a handle element, a blade rotatably coupled to the handle element, and a locking mechanism operatively coupled between the blade and the handle element. The locking mechanism includes first and second pairs of toggles positioned, respectively, on first and second sides of the blade, each pair of toggles being configured to move into a locked position when the blade is rotated to an open position. A handle of the knife may include the handle element and the first and second pairs of toggles.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2005Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: KAI U.S.A., Ltd.Inventors: Grant W. Hawk, Gavin D. Hawk
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Patent number: 7676931Abstract: A folding hand tool with an open-assist mechanism that is not mechanically linked to a folding knife blade is disclosed. The open-assist mechanism is allowed to rotate around the same pivot used by the blade, and includes a lug that interacts with the kick of the blade when rotated. Because the open-assist mechanism is not mechanically linked to the blade, it has a range of free motion that promotes safety, and allows the mechanism to rotate into the blade cavity when the blade is extended. The folding knife also may have a carabiner that shares the blade cavity with the blade, with the blade nesting into the carabiner to save space, thereby giving the folding knife a smaller profile.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2005Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Leatherman Tool Group, Inc.Inventors: Nathan E. Knight, Glenn A. Klecker, John P. Nenadic
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Publication number: 20100031512Abstract: A handsaw includes a handle and a blade. The handle includes a lock assembly. The blade is releaseably mountable on the handle and includes a lock engaging region located toward one end thereof. The lock assembly includes a lock structure and a manually enagageable actuator. The lock structure is movable between a lock position in which it lockingly engages the lock engaging region to lock the blade to the handle, and a release position in which the lock structure is released from engagement with the lock engaging region to enable the blade to be released from the handle. The actuator is manually actuatable to move the lock structure from the lock position to the release position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2008Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: THE STANLEY WORKSInventors: Stephen Rowlay, Stewart Hawley
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Patent number: 7654004Abstract: A hand tool is provided that includes both a fixed implement and a folding or rotatable implement, thereby taking advantage of the security and reliability of a fixed hand tool while also providing an additional implement in order to increase the utility of the resulting hand tool. In order to facilitate use of both fixed and rotatable implements, also provided are a locking mechanism, such as for individually locking the rotatable implement and the handle relative to the fixed implement, and a compound tool that can serve as the rotatable implement in order to mate with and receive at least a portion of the fixed implement, such as in instances in which both the fixed and rotatable implements are deployed.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2006Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Leatherman Tool Group, Inc.Inventor: Hollan Akio Tsuda
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Patent number: 7647701Abstract: A guard for a folding knife which guard protects the fingers of the user when the blade is open. The guards may be lifted by the movement of the blade by a link, spring, lifting pin, gears, underside of the blade or hooked by thumb stud or back of blade or by a flipping motion due to the contour of the handles. The guards may be of various shapes and may be recessed in an out-of-the-way position when the blade is closed. The guards may extend at opposite sides of the blade and opposite sides of the handle. The guards are adaptable to a wide variety of folding knife styles.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2006Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Inventors: Mark Mollick, Paul Mollick
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Publication number: 20090300920Abstract: A foldable hand tool having a blade holder mounted with a handle for movement from folded and unfolded positions. The blade holder has an opening adapted to receive blades of different sizes. The foldable hand tool further has a locking mechanism to lock the holder in an open position. A blade holder lock engages a resilient arm formed in the side wall of the handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2009Publication date: December 10, 2009Applicant: MERIDIAN INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.Inventor: MingJi Jiang
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Patent number: 7627951Abstract: A bi-fold knife locking mechanism is provided which maintains the open and closed positions associated with the bi-fold knife. A locking and release mechanism for changing the bi-fold knife from the closed to the open position is also disclosed. An aperture in the blade portion of the bi-fold knife for ergonomically gripping the bi-fold knife is also disclosed. A locking plate for securing the locking and release mechanism and bi-fold knife in the closed position is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2007Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Inventor: Eric G. Glesser
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Publication number: 20090288302Abstract: A folding hand saw includes a first housing, a transmission unit disposed in the first housing, a second housing having a third pivotal end pivotally connected with a second pivotal end of the first housing and connected with the transmission unit, and a saw blade having a forth pivotal end pivotally connected with a first pivotal end of the first housing and connected with the transmission unit such that the saw blade is pivotable between a folded position where the saw blade is inserted into a first insertion groove of the first housing and a second insertion groove of the second housing, and an unfolded position where the saw blade leaves the first insertion groove and the second insertion groove. As a result, the folding hand saw of the present invention can prevent the saw blade from hurting a user or other people.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2008Publication date: November 26, 2009Applicant: K&W TOOLS CO., LTDInventor: Walley CHAO
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Publication number: 20090288301Abstract: A safety lock mechanism for a folding knife includes a lock plate movably coupled to a handle of the knife for movement along a first direction from an engaged position to a disengaged position, the lock plate biased towards the engaged position. A rocker element is coupled to the lock plate for movement from a locked position to an unlocked position and is configured to prevent translational movement of the lock plate to the disengaged position when the rocker element is in the locked position. A control button coupled to the rocker element allows a user to move the rocker element from the locked position to the unlocked position and to move the lock plate towards the disengaged position to thereby release a blade of the knife.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2008Publication date: November 26, 2009Applicant: KAI U.S.A., LTD., DBA KERSHAW KNIVESInventors: Grant W. Hawk, Gavin D. Hawk
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Publication number: 20090271988Abstract: A utility knife has a counter-reciprocating blade and blade guard. Preferred utility knifes have an internal mechanism comprising several components that are advantageously coupled via one or more pivot points. Though an appropriate arrangement of pivot points, both stationary pivot points and translating pivot points, the blade and guard counter-reciprocate such that forced retraction of the guard results in forced extension of the blade. While the internal mechanism is in a locked position, the guard locked. Actuation of a trigger can unlock the internal mechanism, which releases the blade guard. Preferably a single actuation of the trigger provides for a single use of the knife.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2009Publication date: November 5, 2009Applicant: EARL & KIMBERLY VOTOLATO LIVING TRUSTInventor: Earl Votolato
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Publication number: 20090260234Abstract: A foldable hand tool includes a handle having a hole laterally defined in a font end of the handle for pivotally connecting to a working element. The working element has a pivotal end pivotally received in the front end and a polygonal hole which is centrally defined in the pivotal end. A groove is radially defined in the pivotal end and communicates with the polygonal hole. A locking element is reciprocally movably mounted in the hole in the handle for selectively positioning the working element.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2008Publication date: October 22, 2009Inventor: Chin Tsai LAI
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Patent number: RE41259Abstract: 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, 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: GrantFiled: April 14, 1998Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Mentor Group LLCInventors: William J. McHenry, Jason L. Williams
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Patent number: RE42906Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 15, 2005Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Kai U.S.A., Ltd.Inventor: Kenneth J. Onion