EP1431010A2 - Couteau de poche pliable à verrouillage - Google Patents

Couteau de poche pliable à verrouillage Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1431010A2
EP1431010A2 EP04000072A EP04000072A EP1431010A2 EP 1431010 A2 EP1431010 A2 EP 1431010A2 EP 04000072 A EP04000072 A EP 04000072A EP 04000072 A EP04000072 A EP 04000072A EP 1431010 A2 EP1431010 A2 EP 1431010A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
blade
handle
locking pin
tang
pair
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP04000072A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1431010A3 (fr
EP1431010A9 (fr
Inventor
William J. Mchenry
Jason L. Williams
Steven J. Ingram
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mentor Group LLC
Original Assignee
Mentor Group LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mentor Group LLC filed Critical Mentor Group LLC
Priority claimed from EP98918203A external-priority patent/EP1071546B1/fr
Publication of EP1431010A2 publication Critical patent/EP1431010A2/fr
Publication of EP1431010A9 publication Critical patent/EP1431010A9/fr
Publication of EP1431010A3 publication Critical patent/EP1431010A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
    • B26B—HAND-HELD CUTTING TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B26B1/00—Hand knives with adjustable blade; Pocket knives
    • B26B1/02—Hand knives with adjustable blade; Pocket knives with pivoted blade
    • B26B1/04—Hand knives with adjustable blade; Pocket knives with pivoted blade lockable in adjusted position
    • B26B1/048—Hand knives with adjustable blade; Pocket knives with pivoted blade lockable in adjusted position with a locking member being slidable or movable along the handle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25F—COMBINATION OR MULTI-PURPOSE TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DETAILS OR COMPONENTS OF PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS NOT PARTICULARLY RELATED TO THE OPERATIONS PERFORMED AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B25F1/00—Combination or multi-purpose hand tools
    • B25F1/003—Combination or multi-purpose hand tools of pliers'-, scissors'- or wrench-type with at least one movable jaw
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25F—COMBINATION OR MULTI-PURPOSE TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DETAILS OR COMPONENTS OF PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS NOT PARTICULARLY RELATED TO THE OPERATIONS PERFORMED AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B25F1/00—Combination or multi-purpose hand tools
    • B25F1/02—Combination or multi-purpose hand tools with interchangeable or adjustable tool elements
    • B25F1/04—Combination or multi-purpose hand tools with interchangeable or adjustable tool elements wherein the elements are brought into working positions by a pivoting or sliding movement

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to folding tools, and more particularly to a folding tool including blades or tools capable of being locked in an open position.
  • a blade has a tang that is engaged by a member to prevent the blade from rotating from its open position.
  • a slidable bolt is biased towards the tang to lock the blade in its open position.
  • the bolt is generally parallel with the blade, and the mechanism depends on the spine of the handle for strength.
  • Neely's knife suffers from the same disadvantage as Collins's, and from the fact that the blade may be unlocked inadvertently by pulling the blade axially away from the handle during a normal cutting motion of the knife.
  • the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art by providing a folding tool comprising an elongate handle defining an elongate groove therein and at least one knife or other tool blade or other tool element pivotally attached to the handle at one end.
  • Each tool blade or element is movable, between a closed position in which it is received within the groove of the handle and an open position in which the blade or tool element is extended away from the handle and exposed.
  • Each tool blade has a working portion that extends away from the handle when in its open position and a tang portion including a locking surface which is located within the groove of the handle when the blade is in its open position.
  • a blade locking pin extends in a direction generally transverse to the length of the handle and blade and has its opposite ends disposed in elongate openings defined in opposite sides of the handle and aligned opposite each other.
  • the blade locking pin is movable with respect to the handle along the elongate openings, between a first position, in which the locking pin engages a locking surface of the tang portion of blade as well as interior surfaces of the elongate openings, to lock the blade in its open position, and a second position in which the pin is spaced away from the locking surface portion of the tang to allow the blade to move from its open position.
  • the blade locking pin is biased toward its first position, but is movable manually to its second position from its first position.
  • a locking assembly body is provided to move the locking pin manually from its first position to its second position.
  • the blade locking pin is biased toward its first position by a spring housed in a cavity defined within a side wall of the handle.
  • a spine portion of the handle is located adjacent the elongate openings in which the ends of the blade locking pin are located, and respective parts of an outer surface of the blade locking pin rest against the locking surface on the tang of the tool blade and a surface of the spine.
  • the invention provides for such locking of selected one of a plurality of tool blades or elements carried at one end of a handle.
  • a folding pocket knife 10 includes a blade locking mechanism that embodies the present invention.
  • the pocket knife 10 includes an elongate handle 12, and a blade 14 that is pivotally attached to the handle at one of its opposite ends.
  • FIG. 1 shows the pocket knife 10 with the blade 14 in a closed position in which the blade is received within the handle 12.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the pocket knife 10 with the blade 14 in an open or use position.
  • the blade 14 of the pocket knife 10 of the present invention is capable of being locked securely in that open position to prevent the inadvertent movement of the blade to its closed position, and this ability makes the knife safer to use.
  • the handle 12 of the pocket knife 10 comprises several components, including a pair of oppositely located side wall sections, generally indicated at 16, 18, that are parallel with each other, and a spine section 20 which is located between the side wall sections along their upper long edges.
  • the side wall section 16 has an outer plate 22 and an inner liner 24, disposed inwardly alongside the outer plate 22.
  • the other side wall section 18 has an outer plate 26 and an inner liner 28 also disposed inwardly alongside its outer plate 26.
  • the spine section 20 is disposed between the liners 24, 28 of the side wall sections 16, 18, respectively, and extends along the upper edge margins of the side wall sections.
  • Outwardly projecting detents 30 provided on the spine section are received in corresponding bores 32 formed in the liners, to align the side wall sections with each other and the spine section.
  • Suitable fasteners such as screws 34 and 35 are used to hold together the side wall sections 16, 18 and the spine section 20.
  • the outer plates 22, 26 of the side wall sections 16, 18, respectively are fabricated from a reinforced hard synthetic plastics material such as Mxcarta® (by Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company), although other suitable materials such as metal, other plastics, wood, etc. can also be used.
  • the liners 24, 28 of the side wall sections 16, 18, and the spine section 20 are preferably fabricated from steel or titanium since these components of the handle must be strong enough to bear the forces that might be exerted thereon when locking the blade in its open position.
  • the side wall sections 16, 18 and the spine section 20 define a blade receiving groove 36 (see FIG. 4) for receiving the blade 14 when it is moved to its closed position.
  • the blade 14 comprises an elongate working portion 38 having an upper blunt edge or back 40, a lower sharp edge 42, and a tang portion 44 which pivotally attaches the blade to the handle 12.
  • the arrangement is such that the blade's working portion 38 extends away from the handle 12 when the blade 14 is in its open position, and the tang portion 44 is located within the groove 36 when the blade is in either the open or the closed position. That is, the tang portion 44 is always located between the liners 24 and 28 of the handle 12.
  • the working portion 38 is constructed in a well-known manner and is pivotally attached to the handle by the tang portion 44 so that the lower sharp edge 42 is received within the handle 12.
  • the tang portion 44 is formed integrally with the blade portion 38 and has a semi-circularly-shaped peripheral edge 46, and a circular opening 48 is formed in the tang for attaching the blade 14 to the handle 12.
  • One of the ends of the peripheral edge 46 of the tang portion 44 merges into an outwardly extending first shoulder 50.
  • the other end of the peripheral edge 46 merges into an inwardly extending second shoulder 52.
  • the first and second shoulders 50, 52 are generally perpendicular with the direction of the peripheral edge 46 at their respective junctions; however, it should be observed as in FIG. 4 that the second shoulder 52 merges into the peripheral edge 46 with a greater radius of curvature than does the first shoulder 50.
  • annular shaft 54 fabricated from hard steel attaches the blade 14 to the handle 12 with one of a pair of annular shims 56 on each side, between the liners 22 and 28.
  • the shaft 54 is press-fitted into the opening 48 formed in the tang portion 44 of the blade 14 and fits rotatably but snugly through circular openings 57 defined in the liners 22 and 28 so that the shaft defines a pivot axis for the blade extending transversely with respect to the side walls 16 and 18.
  • the annular shims 56 are received over respective ends of the shaft 54 as indicated in FIG. 3.
  • the shaft 54 has a threaded axial bore 58 machined therethrough for matingly receiving the screw fasteners 34 which retain the outer plates 22 and 26 and keep the pocket knife 10 assembled.
  • the sliding lock assembly 60 includes a planar sliding body member 62 which extends along a plane generally parallel with the plane of the side wall sections 16, 18 of the handle 12.
  • a latch operating arm member or knob 64 useful as a handle for slidably moving the body member 62 along an axis generally parallel with the length of the handle 12 as indicated by the arrow 65 in FIG. 3.
  • the body member 62 is disposed between the outer plate 22 and liner 24 of the side wall section 16 in a cavity (not shown) formed in the inwardly-facing side of the outer plate 22.
  • the body member 62 has a fork or slot 66 formed therein which receives a guide member 68 (e.g., a machine screw) suitably attached to the liner 24 to guide the movement of the sliding body member 62.
  • the knob 64 extends outwardly through an elongated opening 70 formed through the plate 22 of the side wall section 16 so that it is accessible to the user of the pocket knife 10.
  • the sliding lock assembly 60 further includes a cylindrical blade locking pin 72 of which one end is attached (e.g., welded) to the body member 62.
  • the pin 72 has a cylindrical outer surface 73, and a central axis that extends in a generally transverse direction with respect to the body member and handle 12.
  • the pin 72 extends through aligned elongate openings 74 formed in the liners 24, 28 of the side wall sections 16, 18, respectively, and the free end of the pin 72 extends into a large cavity 76 formed in the inwardly facing surface of plate 26 of side wall member 18.
  • An inwardly facing surface 77 of the spine 20 is preferably aligned with or nearly aligned with the elongate openings 74, as may be seen best in FIG. 7a.
  • the pin 72 of the sliding lock assembly 60 is located adjacent the tang portion 44 of the blade 14.
  • the sliding lock assembly 60 is movable in a direction parallel to the length of the handle 12, as indicated by the arrow 65, between a first position shown in FIG. 6, in which the cylindrical outer surface 73 of blade locking pin 72 of the sliding lock assembly engages the tang portion 44 of the blade 14 to lock the blade in its open position, and a second position, shown in FIG. 7, in which the pin 72 is spaced away from the tang portion 44 to allow the blade to move from its open position and toward its closed position. More specifically, when the sliding lock assembly 60 is in its first position for locking the blade 14 in its open position, the pin 72 is disposed in a recess defined by the tang portion 44, the first shoulder 50, and spine section 20. As may be seen best in FIG.
  • a generally flat locking surface 89 is part of the peripheral edge 46 of the tang 44, intersecting and preferably faired into the semi-circular portion through the transition 88.
  • the locking surface 89 extends inwardly along a chord of the circle defined by the semi-circular portion of the peripheral edge 46.
  • An angle 75 shown in FIG. 6a, is defined between the locking surface 89 of the tang 44 and the upper inner surfaces defining the elongate holes 74.
  • the angle 75 is between 7 degrees and 14 degrees and is preferably 10 degrees, and thus is small enough that the pin 72 is not urged longitudinally away from its first position by any cam action of the locking surface portion 89 of tang 44 with sufficient force to overcome the force of the spring 78.
  • the arrangement is such that upon an attempt to move the blade 14 from its open position, the pin 72 engages the locking surface 89 portion of the peripheral edge 46 of the tang portion 44 of the blade and interferes with the pivotal movement of the tang portion, thus preventing movement of the blade 14 about the pivot axis defined by the shaft 54.
  • the pin 72 of the sliding lock assembly 60 has a tendency of "wearing in” rather than wearing out, since the more frequently the blade 14 is moved to its open position and locked therein by the pin, the further the pin becomes wedged between the peripheral edge 46 of the tang portion 44, the surfaces defining the elongate openings 74 in the liners 22 and 28, and (depending upon alignment) the inner surface 77 of the spine 20.
  • a spring 78 is provided for biasing the pin 72 of the sliding lock assembly 60 to its first position. As illustrated in FIG. 5, one end 80 of the spring 78 engages a detent 82 (e.g., a machine screw) provided on the liner 28 of the side wall section 18. The other end 84 of the spring 78 engages the free end of the pin 72. More specifically, a circumferential groove 86 is formed in the pin 72 near its free end to receive the end 84 of the spring 78 therein and ensure that the spring maintains its engagement with the pin 72.
  • a detent 82 e.g., a machine screw
  • the spring 78 is fabricated from resilient material which is strong enough for biasing the sliding lock assembly 60 to its first position, but resilient enough so that when a person applies a force on the knob 64 in a direction away from the extended blade 14, the lock assembly 60 is moved readily to its second position.
  • peripheral edge 46 of the tang portion 44 defines a cam upon which the pin 72 can ride as the blade 14 is moved between its open and closed positions.
  • the pin 72 when the blade 14 in its closed position the pin 72 is disposed between the peripheral edge 46 of the tang portion 44 and the second shoulder 52, and upon movement of the blade 14 away from its closed position the second shoulder moves the sliding lock assembly 60, including the pin 72, to its second position, enabling the blade 14 to open.
  • the tang portion 44 of the blade 14 can be configured so that the blade is locked in its closed position and capable of being moved only upon moving the sliding lock assembly 60 manually to its second position.
  • the shape of the peripheral edge 46 which defines the cam upon which the pin 72 rides can provide an "assist" when opening or closing the blade 14 of the knife 10. More specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the arrangement is such that during closing of the blade 14 of the knife 10 the pin 72 rides along the peripheral edge 46 until it rounds over the corner at the junction of the peripheral edge and the second shoulder 52. After rounding over the junction with the second shoulder the pin 72 actually assists in closing the blade 14, since the spring 78 biases the pin 72 toward the shoulder 52 and thus urges the blade 14 toward its closed position.
  • a transition at 88 in the curvature of the peripheral edge 46 also makes it possible to take advantage of the spring biased pin 72 acting on the tang portion 44 to assist in opening the blade, since the blade locking surface portion 89 of the peripheral edge 46 of the tang 44 extends at an angle inward from the arcuate portion of the peripheral edge.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates a blade 90 of another embodiment of the invention.
  • the blade 90 is similar to the blade 14 in that it includes a blade portion 92 having an upper edge 94, a lower edge 96, and a tang 98 generally similar to the tang 44.
  • the tang 98 also includes a ramp 100.
  • the purpose of ramp 100 is to allow the locking assembly 60 to assist in opening of the blade 90 from its closed position. Referring briefly to FIG. 4, when the knob 64 is moved toward the second position of the lock assembly 60 (in the direction of arrow 65) the pin 72 pushes against ramp 100, causing partial opening of the knife by cam action. This is desirable so that the knife can be opened with one hand.
  • a multi-bladed tool 110 which is an alternative embodiment of the present invention includes a handle 112 in the form of a generally U-shaped channel, preferably of bent sheet steel, with a plurality of tool blades 114, 116 and 118 mounted side-by-side on a blade pivot shaft 122 at one end 124 of the handle 112.
  • Each of the blades 114, 116 and 118 may be selected individually to be moved between an extended open position such as that of the screwdriver blade 114 shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, and a closed position as that of the screwdriver blade 114 as shown in FIG. 12.
  • the handle 112 includes a transversely extending back portion 126 having an outer margin 144, and a pair of parallel side wall portions 128 and 130 which extend parallel with each other and perpendicular to the back portion 126, thus defining a wide groove 132.
  • the blade pivot shaft 122 is mounted securely and immovably with respect to the side walls 128 and 130, as by having each of its opposite ends 134 riveted or welded into place in a hole 136 defined in a respective one of the side walls.
  • Each of the blades 114, 116 and 118 includes a working portion 138 such as that portion of the screwdriver blade 114 shown in FIG. 9 extending outwardly beyond the handle 112, and a tang portion 140.
  • each of the tool blades 114, 116 and 118 includes a respective bore that fits snugly but rotatably about the blade pivot shaft 132.
  • Each tang 140 also includes an abutment shoulder 142 that rests against and is supported by the outer margin 144 of the back portion of the end 124 of the handle 112 when the respective tool blade is in the open position to establish the proper location of the blade for use.
  • a pair of similar elongate openings 150 are aligned with each other and extend through the side walls 128 and 130 of the handle 112.
  • the elongate openings 150 are defined in part by flat surfaces 151 located near the back 126 of the handle 112.
  • a blade locking pin 152 having a longitudinal axis 153, extends transversely of the handle 112 through both of the elongate openings 150, with its opposite ends located adjacent the outer sides of the two side walls 128 and 130.
  • a respective retainer 154, 156 such as a rivet head or a small disc-shaped cap mated with the pin 152 by threads, is located on each end of the blade locking pin 152, and both retainers may be gripped conveniently as release buttons by a person using the tool 110, to move the blade locking pin 152 longitudinally, with respect to both the handle 112 and the elongate openings 150 through the side walls 128 and 130, as indicated by the arrow 158.
  • the blade locking pin 152 includes an outer surface 160 parallel with its axis 153.
  • central portion or body of blade locking pin 152 is in the shape of a circular cylinder, but it will be appreciated that other shapes could also serve so long as the blade locking pin 152 fits snugly but slidably in the elongate openings 150.
  • each tool blade 114, 116 and 118 includes a locking surface 162 oriented at a small angle 164 with respect to the interior surfaces 151 defining a part of the elongate openings 150 when the respective tool blade is in its open position.
  • the angle 164 should be between 7 degrees and 14 degrees and is preferably 10 degrees.
  • the locking surface 162 is generally flat and merges into a convex arcuate peripheral edge surface 166 acting as a cam along which the outer surface 160 of blade locking pin 152 can slide during movement of a blade such as the screwdriver 114 between its open position (FIG. 9) and its closed position (FIG. 12).
  • the blade locking pin 152 is shown in FIGS.
  • Each blade 114, 116 and 118 also includes a shoulder 171 located on the tang 140, opposite the stop 142, to rest against the inner surface of the back 126 of the handle to establish the proper closed position of the blade within the groove 132 defined between the side walls 128 and 130.
  • Each spring 172 is mounted, one on each side of the handle 112, to urge the blade locking pin 152 toward its first position, yet allow the blade locking pin to be retracted by the user of the tool when it is desired to move a selected one of the tool blades 114, 116 and 118 between its open and closed positions.
  • Each spring 172 is generally oxbow-shaped with a respective loop 174 at each of its ends.
  • Each spring 172 is attached to the respective side wall 128 or 130 of the handle by a fastener 176 such as a screw or rivet extending through the respective loop 174 into the side wall, while the loop 174 at the opposite end of each spring 172 extends around the blade locking pin 152 near the respective end thereof, between the retainer 154 or 156 and the respective side wall of the handle 112.
  • a fastener 176 such as a screw or rivet extending through the respective loop 174 into the side wall, while the loop 174 at the opposite end of each spring 172 extends around the blade locking pin 152 near the respective end thereof, between the retainer 154 or 156 and the respective side wall of the handle 112.
  • a tang or handle stub 180 of a pair of pliers is attached to the handle 112 in the same manner as are the blades 114, 116 and 118.
  • the handle stub 180 has the same profile as the tang 140 and thus can similarly be locked in its extended or open position with respect to the handle 112 for use of the pliers, as shown in FIG. 9.
  • a second handle 112 (not shown) would be similarly attached to the tang of the other pliers jaw so that the handles could be folded toward each other to enclose the pliers jaws or be extended and held in the open position of each pliers jaw by the locking mechanism, for use of the pliers.
  • a folding knife 182, shown in FIGS. 14-17, is a further embodiment of the present invention and includes an elongate handle 184.
  • the handle 184 comprises a pair of liners 186, preferably of steel or titanium, which are similar to each other, each having an outer side 188.
  • a spine 190 that may be of metal or a suitable plastic is located between the liners 186, establishing a spacing between them to define a groove 192 in which to receive a blade 194.
  • the blade 194 is pivotally connected with one end 195 of the handle 184 by a pivot shaft 196, preferably in the form of a tubular bolt having a flat side that fits in a mating hole 197 defined in each of the liners 186 and extends rotatably through a pivot hole 199 in the blade 194.
  • the blade 194 includes a working portion 198 having a blunt back 200 and a sharp edge 202.
  • the blade 194 also has a tang 204 and an abutment shoulder 206 where the back 200 is interconnected with the tang 204.
  • a stop pin 208 extends transversely between the liners 186 and is securely interconnected with them as by fitting tightly in holes defined in the liners 166 at the same end 195 of the handle, and the abutment shoulder 206 rests snugly against the stop pin 208 when the blade 194 is in its open, extended, position for use.
  • the tang 204 includes a generally flat transverse locking surface 210 which is located in generally the same position as the locking surface 89 of the tang portion 44 of the knife 10 described above.
  • the tang 204 also includes an arcuate peripheral edge 212 that can act as a cam surface as described above in connection with the tang 44, and there is a shoulder 214 adjoining and directed inwardly from the arcuate peripheral edge 212, on the side of the working portion 198 nearer the sharp edge 202.
  • a pair of elongate openings 216 corresponding with the elongate openings 74 of the knife 10, are defined in the liners 186 and are located opposite each other.
  • a locking pin 218 extends through both of the elongate holes 216, thus extending transversely with respect to the elongate handle 184.
  • the locking pin 218 has a retainer 220 at each of its ends securely fastened in place, as by being formed integrally with a generally cylindrical body portion of the locking pin 218 which has an outer surface 221, or by being mated with the body of the locking pin 218 by suitable threads or the like.
  • Each of the retainers 220 has a respective base surface 222 facing inwardly toward the outer side 188 of the respective one of the liners 186, with the base surfaces 222 preferably spaced within a distance of 0.003-0.008 inch from the outer sides 188.
  • the retainers 220 extend radially outward about the body by a distance 223 of about 0.06 inch, for example, in order to keep the locking pin 218 oriented substantially perpendicular to the outer sides 188 of the liners 186.
  • the retainers 220 preferably are shaped to include grip surfaces 224 which can easily be engaged securely by the thumb and forefinger of a person using the knife.
  • Each of the retainers 220 includes an annular groove 226.
  • a pair of springs 228, 229 are mirror opposites of each other and have a generally horseshoe-like shape, each having a laterally inwardly directed end portion 230 or 231 and a small end loop portion 232.
  • the laterally directed end portions 230, 231 each fit into a spring-receiving hole 234 in a respective one of the liners 186, while the end loops 232 fit around the retainers 220 and are received in the grooves 226.
  • the springs 228 When in place, the springs 228 are bent inwardly so that they urge the locking pin 218 toward the end of the handle 184 and thus toward the first, or locking, position of the locking pin 218 with respect to the locking surface 210 of the tang 204, in the same fashion in which the springs 172 urge the blade locking pin 152 toward its first, or locking, position with respect to the locking surface 166 of the tang 140 described above.
  • the outer plates 236 and 238 include countersunk shoulders 239 that are also engaged by the heads 243 of the pivot shaft 196, which hold the outer plates 236 and 238 tightly against the liners 186 at the first end 195 of the handle and also are adjusted to provide enough tension to press the liners 186 against the lateral surfaces of the tang 204 to keep the blade 194 from being too loose in the groove 192 between the liners 186.
  • the outer plates 236 and 238 are mirror opposites of each other, and both define respective spring cavities 244 which are also mirror opposites of each other.
  • the spring cavities 244 provide clearance for the springs 228 to flex and move with respect to the liners 186 as the locking pin 218 moves.
  • Access openings 246 are defined through each of the outer plates 236 and 238 to surround the retainers 220, which are thus countersunk within the openings 246.
  • the access openings 246 are large enough to provide for the range of motion available for the locking pin 218 in the elongate openings 216, so that the locking pin 218 can be moved against the force of the springs 228 by engaging the grip surfaces 224 with one's thumb and forefinger, to move the locking pin 218 away from its first position and permit the blade 194 to be moved from its open position toward its closed position.
  • The.angle 248 is small enough so that pressure against the back 200 of the blade 194 in the open position cannot move the locking pin 218 out of engagement between the locking surface 210 and the interior surfaces 249 by cam action, and the locking pin 218 thus securely retains the blade 194 in the open position.
  • the springs 228 urge the locking pin 218 against the shoulder 214.
  • the shoulder 214 of the blade 194 presses against the outer surface 221 of the locking pin 218 and moves it away from its first position.
  • the locking pin 218 is carried into contact with the arcuate peripheral edge 212 or cam surface of the tang 204, which it follows until the blade 194 approaches its fully open position, at which time the springs 228 urge the locking pin 218 onto the locking surface 210 to lock the blade 194 in its open position.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Forests & Forestry (AREA)
  • Knives (AREA)
EP20040000072 1998-04-14 1998-04-14 Couteau de poche pliable à verrouillage Withdrawn EP1431010A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP98918203A EP1071546B1 (fr) 1996-07-12 1998-04-14 Couteau de poche pliable a verrouillage

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98918203A Division EP1071546B1 (fr) 1996-07-12 1998-04-14 Couteau de poche pliable a verrouillage

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1431010A2 true EP1431010A2 (fr) 2004-06-23
EP1431010A9 EP1431010A9 (fr) 2004-10-13
EP1431010A3 EP1431010A3 (fr) 2004-11-17

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EP20040000072 Withdrawn EP1431010A3 (fr) 1998-04-14 1998-04-14 Couteau de poche pliable à verrouillage

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EP (1) EP1431010A3 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USRE41259E1 (en) * 1996-07-12 2010-04-27 Mentor Group Llc Folding pocket knife with a lock
US7774940B2 (en) * 2008-01-03 2010-08-17 Dragon Nails, Inc. Folding knife with puzzle piece locking mechanism
ITBZ20090017A1 (it) * 2009-04-22 2010-10-23 Intercable Srl Chiave multipla per quadri elettrici ad armadio
CZ304881B6 (cs) * 2013-03-05 2014-12-29 Miroslav Němec Zavírací nůž s dvojitým rámovým zámkem
WO2024108782A1 (fr) * 2022-11-21 2024-05-30 杭州巨星科技股份有限公司 Couteau pliant

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US6079106A (en) * 1999-09-28 2000-06-27 Vallotton; Alney K. Knife blade locking mechanism

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US4040181A (en) * 1976-09-07 1977-08-09 Western Cutlery Co. Locking blade knife
US4240201A (en) * 1979-08-13 1980-12-23 Mullin Steven W Folding knife
US4451982A (en) * 1981-07-27 1984-06-05 Collins Walter W Bolt action knife
US4670984A (en) * 1986-04-16 1987-06-09 Rickard Thomas A Folding knife
US5111581A (en) * 1991-11-06 1992-05-12 Collins Walter W Bolt operated locking mechanism for folding knife
US5615484A (en) * 1995-05-31 1997-04-01 Spyderco, Inc. Cam lock for folding knife blade
US5685079A (en) * 1996-09-23 1997-11-11 Brothers; Robert L. Locking mechanism for a folding knife

Patent Citations (1)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6079106A (en) * 1999-09-28 2000-06-27 Vallotton; Alney K. Knife blade locking mechanism

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USRE41259E1 (en) * 1996-07-12 2010-04-27 Mentor Group Llc Folding pocket knife with a lock
US7774940B2 (en) * 2008-01-03 2010-08-17 Dragon Nails, Inc. Folding knife with puzzle piece locking mechanism
ITBZ20090017A1 (it) * 2009-04-22 2010-10-23 Intercable Srl Chiave multipla per quadri elettrici ad armadio
CZ304881B6 (cs) * 2013-03-05 2014-12-29 Miroslav Němec Zavírací nůž s dvojitým rámovým zámkem
WO2024108782A1 (fr) * 2022-11-21 2024-05-30 杭州巨星科技股份有限公司 Couteau pliant

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EP1431010A9 (fr) 2004-10-13

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