Locked Blade Patents (Class 30/161)
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090255127
    Abstract: A utility knife multi-tool carries a razor blade as a primary cutting blade. The tool has a handle and a blade. The blade has a flat body with an edge and a flat, each of which have grooves cut therein to provide file, rasp or saw functionality for the blade. The forward end of the blade is pointed and carries a razor blade. The multi-tool has a handle with a striking cap at an end thereof and can have a storage tray for holding at least one spare cutting blade and a folding blade with a blade lock mechanism in the handle to releasably lock the blade in operating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Daniel R. Seymour, Brandon C. Hoover, James M. Burry
  • Publication number: 20090241348
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventor: James WESTERFIELD
  • Publication number: 20090241349
    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 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: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventor: Qiu Jian Ping
  • Patent number: 7581321
    Abstract: In one aspect, a folding knife has a locking mechanism coupled to the blade such that pivoting the blade from the closed position to the open position, and vice versa, causes corresponding rotation of the locking mechanism about the pivot axis of the blade. The locking mechanism is operable to selectively lock the blade in the open position and optionally to selectively lock the blade in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: GB II Corporation
    Inventor: Charles L. Kain
  • Publication number: 20090211102
    Abstract: A foldable knife comprises a blade pivotally connected to a pivotal portion at a first end of a handle. A resilient bar extends between a second end of the handle and the pivotal portion. When the blade is received in the handle, the resilient bar biases the blade with a torque to rotate the blade into the handle. When the blade is rotated outward from the handle up to a predetermined angle, the resilient bar biases the blade with a torque to rotate the blade out of the handle. A switch element has a first end extended out of the handle for being switched. When the switch element is switched, a second end thereof biases the blade and rotates it out of the handle. The user can use only one hand to hold the foldable knife and switch the switch element to make the blade spring out of the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: Chia-Ying Chen
  • Publication number: 20090193664
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for a folding knife includes a first locking element movably coupled to a handle of the knife for movement along a substantially flat recessed bearing surface from an unlocked position to a locked position and a second locking element having a central axis substantially parallel to a pivot axis of the knife, the second locking element biased in a direction substantially along the central axis for movement from an extended position to a depressed position and being adapted to receive a portion of the first locking element to prevent movement of the second locking element to the depressed position and thus inadvertent deployment or closure of the blade when the first locking element is in the locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: KAI U.S.A., LTD., DBA KERSHAW KNIVES
    Inventor: Timothy James Galyean
  • Publication number: 20090193663
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventor: Chih-Chen Kao
  • Publication number: 20090172951
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: DRAGON NAILS, INC.
    Inventor: Bram Frank
  • Publication number: 20090165309
    Abstract: A folding utility knife with a blade release mechanism is provided, and the knife comprises: a handle comprising at least two side walls forming an internal space; a blade holding compartment pivotally connected to the handle, and the blade holding compartment comprises at least two side walls forming an internal blade cavity for holding a blade, at least a portion of the blade holding compartment is designed to be situated within the space of the handle during a folded position; and a blade release device comprises a blade lock and a button wedge, and the blade lock comprises at least one indentation situated in between at least two protrusions, and the protrusions are designed to contact and secure the blade within the blade cavity of the blade holding compartment, and the button wedge comprises a button connected to a wedge, and the wedge is designed to be situated within and moveable about a space created by the indentation of the blade lock, and the button is designed to be slidably moved to allow the we
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: William Kamb, Glenn Robinson
  • Patent number: 7552537
    Abstract: A utility cutter includes a cutter blade, a cutter handle, a blade frame, and a blade replacement arrangement. The blade frame includes a first and a second frame member pivotally mounted with each other to define a blade receiving cavity that the cutter blade is substantially retained at the blade receiving cavity, wherein the blade frame is pivotally mounted to the elongated cutter handle for folding between a folded position and an unfolded position. The blade replacement arrangement is operatively coupled with the first and the second frame member for normally locking the first and the second frame member with each other. When the blade frame is in the unfolded position, the blade replacement arrangement is adapted to unlock the first frame member, such that the cutter blade is capable of being conveniently and safely replaced at the blade receiving cavity without sliding movement of the cutter blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Inventor: Jing Rong Ye
  • 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
  • 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: 7533466
    Abstract: A hand tool such as a fillet knife or limb saw with a blade that is longer than the handle has a blade guard arm that shields the blade when in the closed position. The blade guard arm is longitudinally slidable in the tool handle and engages the blade tang when the blade is in the open position, thereby locking the blade open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Mentor Group, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kenneth Steigerwalt
  • Publication number: 20090119926
    Abstract: A folding tool and an associated locking mechanism are provided in order to securely and reliably retain an implement, such as a knife blade, in an open position. The folding tool may include a handle, an implement pivotally connected to the handle and a lock. The lock, in turn, may include an engagement member for movement with the blade and a pivotable member, such as a cam member, configured to pivot relative to the handle between first and second positions. As a result of controlled interaction between the engagement member and the pivotable member, such as a result of camming action provided by the cam member, the rotatable implement can be secured in the open position. If desired, the rotatable implement may be released and folded into the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Leatherman Tool Group, Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Nenadic
  • Publication number: 20090119927
    Abstract: A foldable saw provided with a fold in guide structure to solve problems of a handle being damaged by teeth of a blade upon folding in the blade to the handle and frustrated folding in process found with the prior art due to that those teeth of the blade are frequently stuck by the handle of a foldable saw of the prior art upon folding in the blade for storage; multiple guide structures are respectively provided on both sidewalls facing each other in an accommodation channel of a handle to receive the blade; the blade when folding into the accommodation channel is led by those guide structures to enter into a track of the accommodation channel without deflection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventor: Teng-Lung Chen
  • Publication number: 20090094838
    Abstract: A storable blade for use with a saw, such as a jigsaw. The blade has stored and operative positions. In the stored position, the blade is disposed in the housing, and in the operative position, the blade is in the cutting position. In either the operative or the stored positions, the saw blade is coupled with the jigsaw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Ka Ki Chan, Chi Hong Ho, Dan Larson
  • Publication number: 20090094840
    Abstract: A cutter apparatus includes a housing, multiple tools mechanically coupled to the housing, at least one of the tools including a cutting device, and a slider and lock wheel mechanically coupled to the housing and configured to selectively release only one of the tools at a time from being secured within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Glen Kanemoto, John Andrew Duval
  • Patent number: 7513044
    Abstract: The handle of a folding knife has an integral spring biased portion that is biased toward the blade disposed in the center of the handle. The spring biased portion locks the blade in the open position by sliding under the rear of the blade when the knife blade is rotated to the fully open position. This same spring biased portion also locks the blade in the closed position by engaging in a recess in the side of the tang of the blade when the blade is rotated to the closed position. Preferably, the spring biased portion also employs a replaceable wear pin that makes all contact with the blade when rotating between the open and closed positions thereby eliminating the wear on the spring biased portion of the handle which is typically made from a soft, biasable material such as aluminum, zinc, or plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Inventor: Ronald W. Lake
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7481137
    Abstract: A folding hand tool containing a plurality of elongated tools mounted on a predetermined sized lug and pivotally held in a handle. Shaped complementary sidewalls on the lugs placed adjacent one another provide locking means for positively positioning the plurality of elongated tools in an open or used position. The shaped complementary sidewalls on adjacent lugs may be selectively disengaged with a release or by overcoming a bias of an engaging force. The predetermined sized lugs provide improved transmission of forces and easier manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Inventor: Robyn Marie Johnson
  • Patent number: 7480997
    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. A spring pressed lock plug is provided to move into and out of the space to hold the blade holder in the folded and unfolded positions. 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: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Great Neck Saw Manufacturers, Inc.
    Inventor: Qiu Jian Ping
  • 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: 20080301949
    Abstract: A pruning saw comprising a handle, a retractable blade pivotably connected to the handle, and a safety latch is disclosed. The handle includes first and second ends, top and bottom surfaces and a longitudinal recess beginning at the first end and extending along the bottom surface toward the second end, while the retractable blade is pivotably connected to the handle at the first end. The blade is capable of pivoting between an open and extended position substantially aligned with the handle and a closed and retracted position concealed within the longitudinal recess of the handle. Accordingly, the safety latch retains the blade in at least one of either the open and extended position and the closed and retracted position. Actuation of the safety latch releases the blade to move freely between the open and closed positions, the safety latch being responsive to at least two buttons positioned on the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Agnete Enga, Anton Ljunggren, Peter Michaelian, Boris Kontorovich, Anthony Di Bitonto, Alec Drummond
  • Publication number: 20080295337
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: SPYDERCO, INC.
    Inventor: Eric G. Glesser
  • Publication number: 20080295338
    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: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Chih-Chen KAO
  • 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: 20080250650
    Abstract: The utility knife includes a handle and a replaceable blade having a lock retention notch. A blade lock mechanism includes a blade lock associated with the handle which automatically engages the lock retention notch on insertion of the blade into the handle. The blade lock mechanism further includes a means for manually disengaging the blade lock from the lock retention notch in order to remove the blade from the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: I.D.L. TECH TOOLS, LLC
    Inventors: Brett P. Seber, Eric B. Carmichael, Wesley James Tom
  • Publication number: 20080216326
    Abstract: A multipurpose tool including a tool such as pruning shear in which one handle includes a storage cavity to hold folding tool elements. That handle is rotatable about a longitudinal axis, between a position in which it presents comfortable outer surfaces to be gripped during use of the pruning shear, and a position exposing the folding tool elements to be extended. A blade latch release lever for releasing the folding tool elements may include grip ears located at the sides of the main handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Glenn A. Klecker, Hollan A. Tsuda
  • Patent number: 7421751
    Abstract: A knife comprises a handle and a blade movably attached to the handle and having a sharpened side and an unsharpened side. The sharpened side has a first sharp portion and a second sharp portion. The blade is operable to move from an engaged position to a disengaged position and to move from the disengaged position to the engaged position. When the blade is positioned in the engaged position, the first sharp portion is uncovered by the handle and the second sharp portion is covered by the handle. When the blade is positioned in the disengaged position, the first sharp portion is covered by the handle and the second sharp portion is uncovered by the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: John V. Ruggiero
  • Publication number: 20080209740
    Abstract: A jack-knife including a blade and a handle, inside which there is a housing for the blade and with respect to which the blade is pivoted with one pivoting end. A safety device is disposed inside the handle, cooperates with the pivoting end of the blade and is able both to prevent an unwanted escape of the blade from the housing, and to clamp the blade when it is in a functioning position, that is, at least partly outside the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: SKEYOTTICA DI KACAVENDA MILENKO
    Inventors: Milan Kacavenda, Milenko Kacavenda
  • Patent number: 7409766
    Abstract: A hand tool such as a multi-bladed folding knife incorporates a lock back mechanism t hat is interconnected with springs extending parallel to the knife body and with pins that interconnect the springs. The springs apply biasing force via the pins to the lock back mechanism associated with the primary blade, and also on secondary blades if used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Mentor Group LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth Steigerwalt
  • Publication number: 20080178474
    Abstract: A dropped-point skinner knife blade is configured with an integral push-hook feature. This blade configuration creates a skinning knife that is well configured to allow the user to initiate and continue a cut within the skin of an animal carcass. It also allows the user to alternatively cut the skin with a push-hook configuration whereby the user is “pushing” the blade away from the user in a must safer fashion as opposed to pulling the blade towards the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: John E. Spencer, Russell P. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20080155833
    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: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: Jerry P. Busse
  • Publication number: 20080148576
    Abstract: A knife having a handle with a pair of ends and a knife assembly pivotally mounted on each end for movement from a folded to an unfolded position. The handle has a space adapted to receive the knife assemblies when the knife assemblies are in the folded positions. Each knife assembly having a blade at one end and tang at the other end with the tang having a lock edge. A lock sleeve is mounted within the handle and has a body and a pair of spring lock fingers which are biased in opposite directions away from the plane of the body of the lock sleeve. Each of the spring lock fingers has a lock shoulder adapted to cooperate with the lock edge of said knife assemblies when the knife assemblies are in their unfolded position to at least assist to hold the knife assemblies in their unfolded position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Qiu Jian Ping
  • Patent number: 7389587
    Abstract: A utility knife which includes a feature for presenting a user with a replacement blade holder containing replacement blades when the separate halves of the knife body, referred to as handle portions, are opened to expose an interior cavity is disc losed. A pivotable latching lever selectively movable between a latched position and an unlatched position permits the two handle portions to pivot relative to one another about a pivot axis when the lever is in the unlatched position so that the replacement blade holder may be presented to the user. The disclosed utility knife having a replacement blade holder and a latching lever is capable of very economic manufacture, yet is dependable in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventors: Anthony Di Bitonto, Mark Prommel, Goeran Jerstroem, Conor McNamara
  • Patent number: 7380341
    Abstract: A foldable knife having a handle and a blade holder movably 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 has a blade locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Great Neck Saw Manufacturers, Inc.
    Inventor: Qui Jian Ping
  • Patent number: 7353736
    Abstract: 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 is disclosed. 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 and 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: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Leatherman Tool Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul W. Poehlmann
  • Patent number: 7347128
    Abstract: A folding multipurpose hand tool including a pivoted latch that engages side walls of a handle and a base of a folding tool member to hold the folding tool member in a selection position. A separate safety interlock latch keeps a folding blade stowed in a handle when another tool is moved from a first position with respect to the handle. A tool bit holder securely holds and drives reduced thickness tool bits that can also be engaged in and driven by conventional sockets having a regular hexagonal shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Leatherman Tool Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin C. Rivera, Hollan A. Tsuda, Nathan E. Knight, Melissa C. Yale, Glenn Klecker, Reinhard Srajer
  • Publication number: 20080040931
    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: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventor: Andrew Demko
  • 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: 7305768
    Abstract: A hand tool—typically embodied as a knife—incorporates a blade or implement lock mechanism for securely locking the implement such as a blade in the open position. The lock mechanism locks the blade in the open position and allows it to be released so that the blade may be folded back into the closed position. The locking mechanism incorporates a safety mechanism that prevents the blade engaging lock from becoming unintentionally disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Mentor Group, LLC
    Inventor: Rick Hinderer
  • 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: 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20070180702
    Abstract: A folding knife includes a handle having a blade channel, a blade rotatably coupled to the handle, and annular blade seals coupled to either side of the blade between the blade and inner surfaces of the blade channel. A locking mechanism having first and second control pins coupled to the blade within the circumference of the blade seal so as to extend toward the first handle element. A lock plate is movably coupled to the handle and engages the first and second control pins when the blade is in the open and closed positions, respectively. A release knob coupled to the lock plate allows a user to move the lock plate to release the blade. A seal positioned between the release knob and the handle seals a space between the release knob and the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: KAI U.S.A., Ltd., dba Kershaw Knives
    Inventors: Grant W. Hawk, Gavin D. Hawk
  • 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