EP2631044A1 - System for locking a blade in extended position for a retractable knife - Google Patents

Abstract

The system (1) has a handle-forming part (3) for a user to grasp a knife (2). A locking unit (8) is provided on a top of a knife (2), and cooperating with a blade (4) and adapting a locking position of the blade in an unfolded position and a release position of the blade. Another locking unit (10) cooperates with the former locking unit and adapts the locking position of the former locking unit in a locking position of the blade and the release position. The latter locking unit forces the former locking unit to adapt a release position of the blade.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to the technical sector of cutlery instruments and in particular to the technical sector of folding blade knives. The invention more particularly relates to a blade locking system in the unfolded position for folding blade knife.

The invention finds an advantageous application in the field of knives of the so-called "outdoor" type (in English terminology), survival knives and tactical knives.

PRIOR ART

In the current state of the art, there are several solutions for locking the blade, in the unfolded position, of a folding blade knife.

A first technique consists for example of a friction blade locking system. It is only the friction of the blade against the plates of the handle portion that locks the knife blade in the unfolded position. On some models of knives, the pivot of the blade is realized by a screw, it is then possible to tighten the axis to adjust the desired friction. This technique does not give complete satisfaction, the locking of the blade is not optimal.

A second technique consists in that the upper part of the heel of the blade is hooked by a metal rod inserted between the plates, in the upper part. The blade is thus completely locked. To release it, it is necessary to actuate a spring, placed on the back or behind the handle, which frees the blocking rod. This technique gives complete satisfaction in terms of locking but also includes the risk of accidental unlocking when it is necessary to firmly hold the handle of the knife.

There are many blade locking systems in the unfolded position for folding blade knives, each with its advantages and disadvantages and each with a degree of locking more or less important.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention therefore aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and thus to provide an alternative to these locking systems that gives full satisfaction to its user in terms of the effectiveness of locking and eliminating all risks of accidental unlocking.

Another object of the invention is in particular to provide a blade locking system in the unfolded position which is reversible to be mounted on both a left-handed knife and a right-handed knife.

Another object is also to provide a guard to protect the user's hand from a knife equipped with a blade locking system in unfolded position according to the invention.

In other words, the goal is to provide an optimal blade locking system in the unfolded position for folding blade knives.

To solve the aforementioned problems, it has thus been developed a blade locking system in the unfolded position, for folding blade knife comprising a handle portion allowing a user to grasp the knife, and a blade pivotally mounted relative to this handle portion, the blade being pivotable to adopt either an unfolded position of use, or a folded storage position, in which it is partially hidden in said handle portion.

• des premiers moyens de verrouillage agencés sur le dessus du couteau, aptes à coopérer avec la lame et à adopter une première position de verrouillage de la lame en position dépliée et une deuxième position de non verrouillage de la lame et ;
• des deuxièmes moyens de verrouillage aptes à coopérer avec lesdits premiers moyens de verrouillage et à adopter, une première position de verrouillage desdits premiers moyens de verrouillage dans la première position de verrouillage de la lame, et une deuxième position de non verrouillage dans laquelle lesdits deuxièmes moyens de verrouillage forcent lesdits premiers moyens de verrouillage à adopter la deuxième position de non verrouillage de la lame.

According to the invention, said blade locking system in the unfolded position comprises:

• first locking means arranged on the top of the knife, adapted to cooperate with the blade and to adopt a first locking position of the blade in the unfolded position and a second non-locking position of the blade and;
• second locking means adapted to cooperate with said first locking means and to adopt a first locking position of said first means of locking; locking in the first locking position of the blade, and a second non-locking position in which said second locking means force said first locking means to adopt the second non-locking position of the blade.

In this way, locking the blade in the unfolded position is optimal.

Advantageously and to avoid any risk of accidental unlocking, the blade locking system in unfolded position according to the invention comprises third locking means able to cooperate with said second locking means and to adopt a first locking position of said second means of locking. locking in the first locking position, and a second non-locking position.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the third locking means are able to cooperate with the second kind locking means that when said third locking means pass from the second non-locking position to the first locking position, said second locking means and first locking means successively pass from the second non-locking position to the first locking position.

In this way, this feature gives the user the ability to perform the operation of locking and unlocking the knife blade in one action and one hand.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said first locking means are in the form of a flexible blade comprising a recess adapted to cooperate, when said flexible blade is in the first locking position, with a finger present on the upper part of the heel of the blade. The upper part of the heel of the blade being the opposite to the cutting edge of the blade.

Said second locking means are in the form of a first pivotally mounted part on the handle part, said first part comprising a hook part adapted to cooperate, when said first part is in the first locking position, with a pin on said first locking means, for locking said first locking means in the first locking position of the blade, and said first piece comprises an eccentric portion adapted to cooperate, when said first piece is in the second non-locking position, with said first locking means to force them to adopt the second position of not locking the blade, said first piece comprises a lever member for allowing by the action on said lever member, to pass the first piece in the first or second position.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the lever element of the second locking means is, when in the first locking position, a guard to protect the hand of the user.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said third locking means are in the form of a second pivotally mounted part on the handle part, said second part comprising a stop forming part adapted to cooperate, when said second part is in the first locking position, to prevent rotation of said first workpiece, said second workpiece comprises a lever member for allowing by the action on said lever member, to pass the second workpiece into the first or second position .

Advantageously, the first piece comprises a boss for snapping the second piece.

According to another characteristic of the invention, in the blade locking system in unfolded position according to the invention, the first locking means are reversible in position and the second and third locking means are capable of being mounted on one side. or the other part of the handle portion.

This allows in particular to be able to adapt the blade locking system in the unfolded position as a knife designed for a left-handed knife on a right-handed.

Preferably, the blade locking system in the unfolded position is mounted on a so-called outdoor knife (English terminology), survival knife and tactical knife.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• la figure 1 est une représentation schématique en perspective représentant le système de verrouillage de lame en position dépliée selon l'invention, monté sur un couteau à lame repliable, la lame étant en position dépliée d'utilisation et les trois moyens de verrouillage sont dans la première position de verrouillage ;
• la figure 2 est une représentation schématique vue de face représentant la lame du couteau représenté sur la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une représentation schématique vue de face représentant les premiers moyens de verrouillage du système de verrouillage de lame en position dépliée selon l'invention ;
• la figure 4 est une représentation schématique vue de face représentant l'âme centrale du couteau représenté sur la figure 1 ;
• la figure 5 est une représentation schématique vue de face représentant l'une des deux platines de la partie formant manche du couteau représenté sur la figure 1, les deux platines étant identiques ;
• la figure 6 est une représentation schématique vue de face représentant les deuxièmes moyens de verrouillage du système de verrouillage de lame en position dépliée selon l'invention ;
• la figure 7 est une représentation schématique vue de face représentant les troisièmes moyens de verrouillage du système de verrouillage de lame en position dépliée selon l'invention ;
• la figure 8 est une représentation schématique vue de face du couteau représenté sur la figure 1, la lame étant partiellement repliée et les premiers, deuxièmes et troisièmes moyens de verrouillage étant dans la deuxième position de non verrouillage ;
• la figure 9 est une représentation schématique similaire à celle de la figure 8, la lame étant en position dépliée d'utilisation et les premiers, deuxièmes et troisièmes moyens de verrouillage étant dans la deuxième position de non verrouillage ;
• la figure 10 est une représentation schématique similaire à celle de la figure 9, les premiers et deuxièmes moyens de verrouillage étant dans la première position de verrouillage et les troisièmes moyens de verrouillage étant dans la deuxième position de non verrouillage ;
• la figure 11 est une représentation schématique similaire à celle de la figure 10, les premiers, deuxièmes et troisièmes moyens de verrouillage étant dans la première position de verrouillage ;
• les figures 12 et 13 sont des représentations schématiques vues de dessus du couteau représenté sur la figure 1, les moyens de verrouillages de lame étant respectivement agencés sur la droite et sur la gauche du couteau, ces figures permettent de représenter la réversibilité desdits moyens de verrouillage ;

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the description which is given below, by way of indication and in no way limitative, with reference to the appended figures, in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic representation in perspective showing the blade locking system in unfolded position according to the invention, mounted on a folding blade knife, the blade being in the unfolded position of use and the three locking means are in the first position of lock;
• the figure 2 is a schematic front view showing the blade of the knife represented on the figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 is a schematic front view showing the first locking means of the blade locking system in unfolded position according to the invention;
• the figure 4 is a schematic representation seen from the front representing the central soul of the knife represented on the figure 1 ;
• the figure 5 is a schematic front view showing one of the two plates of the handle portion of the knife shown in FIG. figure 1 the two plates being identical;
• the figure 6 is a schematic front view showing the second locking means of the blade locking system in unfolded position according to the invention;
• the figure 7 is a schematic front view showing the third locking means of the blade locking system in unfolded position according to the invention;
• the figure 8 is a schematic front view of the knife represented on the figure 1 , the blade being partially folded and the first, second and third locking means being in the second non-locking position;
• the figure 9 is a schematic representation similar to that of the figure 8 the blade being in the unfolded position of use and the first, second and third locking means being in the second non-locking position;
• the figure 10 is a schematic representation similar to that of the figure 9 the first and second locking means being in the first locking position and the third locking means being in the second non-locking position;
• the figure 11 is a schematic representation similar to that of the figure 10 the first, second and third locking means being in the first locking position;
• the Figures 12 and 13 are schematic representations seen from above of the knife represented on the figure 1 , the blade locking means being respectively arranged on the right and on the left of the knife, these figures serve to represent the reversibility of said locking means;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Figures 1 to 13 represent a preferred embodiment of the locking system (1) blade (4) according to the invention, mounted on a knife (2) with foldable blade, comprising a handle portion (3) allowing a user to grasp the knife (2), and a blade (4) pivotally mounted with respect to this handle portion (3). The blade (4) is pivotable to adopt either a first folded storage position, in which it is partially hidden in said handle portion (3), or a second unfolded position of use.

The handle portion (3) is constituted by a piece forming a central core (5), covered by two plates (6) of ergonomic shapes for the hand of a user. The two plates (6) are preferably identical. The blade (4) is pivotally mounted around an axis (7) passing through the heel (4a) of said blade (4) and the end portion of the two plates (6). The blade (4) is therefore able to adopt two positions, a first folded storage position, in which the blade (4) abuts against the central core portion (5) and partially concealed in the handle portion (3) between the two plates (6) and a second unfolded position of use, in which the blade (4) is completely unfolded, in alignment with the handle portion (3) and abutting against the central core portion (5). ).

The locking system (1) blade (4) according to the invention comprises first locking means (8) in the form of a flexible blade (8), arranged on the top of the knife (2), in contact with the slices of the two plates (6) and fixed on the central core (5). This flexible blade (8) is adapted to adopt two positions, a first locking position of the blade (4) in the unfolded position and a second non-locking position of said blade (4). For this purpose, the flexible blade (8) comprises at its end facing the blade (4), a recess (8a) adapted to cooperate with a finger (9) present on the upper portion of the heel (4a) of the blade (4), facing the flexible blade (8). Thus, during the pivoting of the blade (4), when it is in abutment against the central core portion (5), the finger (9) present on the upper portion of the heel (4a) of the blade (4) penetrates into the recess (8a) formed in the flexible blade (8). This has the effect of picking the flexible blade (8) on the heel (4a) of the blade (4) of the knife (2) and to lock said blade (4) in the unfolded position.

The locking system (1) blade (4) according to the invention further comprises second locking means (10) adapted to adopt two positions, a first locking position of said first locking means (8) in the first position locking the blade (4) in an unfolded position, and a second non-locking position, wherein said second locking means (10) causes said first locking means (8) to adopt the second non-locking position of the blade (4). For this purpose, said second locking means (10) are in the form of a first piece (10) pivotally mounted about an axis (10a) passing through both said first piece (10) and the part of end of the two plates (6) of the handle portion (3). Said first piece (10) comprises a hook portion (10b) made in particular by the provision of a notch (10c) in the material of said first piece (10). This notch (10c) is adapted to cooperate, after pivoting from said first piece (10) to a first locking position, with a lug (8b) present on the lateral part of the flexible blade (8) to lock it in the locking position of the blade (4) of the knife (2) in the unfolded position. This first piece (10) also comprises an eccentric portion (10d) and adapted, after pivoting of said first piece (10) in the opposite direction to a second non-locking position, to lift said flexible blade (8) and disengaging the finger (9) of the blade (4) of the knife (2) from the recess (8a) of the flexible blade (8), in order to force said flexible blade (8) to adopt a second non-locking position of the blade (4) of the knife (2). Finally, said first piece (10) comprises a portion, opposite the notch, forming a lever (10e) and intended to allow the user to manipulate said first piece (10) and to move it from the first to the first second position.

The lever arm portion (10e) is extended by a predetermined length to allow, when said first piece (10) is in the first lock position, to provide a guard to protect the user's hand. More specifically, said lever portion (10e) extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the general axis of the blade (4) of the knife (2).

The locking system (1) blade (4) according to the invention advantageously comprises third locking means (11) adapted to adopt two positions, a first locking position of said second locking means (10) in the first position of locking, and a second non-locking position. For this purpose, said third locking means (11) are in the form of a second piece (11) pivotally mounted about an axis (11a) passing through both said second piece (11) and the part of end of at least one of the two plates (6) of the handle portion (3). Said second piece (11) comprises an abutment portion (11b) adapted to cooperate, after the pivoting of said second piece (11) to the first locking position, with said first piece (10) to prevent its pivoting and locking said first piece (10) in the first locking position. Said second piece (11) comprises a portion, opposite to the abutment portion (11b) forming a lever (11c) and intended to allow the user to manipulate said second piece (11) and to move it from the first in the second position.

Said second piece (11) is more specifically adapted to pivot until abutting against the eccentric portion (10d) of the first piece (10). And, advantageously, a boss (10f) is formed on said first piece (10), between the lever portion (10e) and the eccentric (10d), so as to engage the abutment portion (11b) of the second piece (11) between said boss (10f) and said lever portion (10e) to maintain said second piece (11). in the locked position and avoid any risk of accidental unlocking.

Said second piece (11) also locks said first piece (10) in the first locking position which is also a position in which the lever portion (10e) of said first piece (10) forms a guard (12) for the user's hand. In other words, said second piece (11) makes it possible to lock said first piece (10) in the guard position (12). This then makes it possible to secure the guard (12) against any accidental unlocking caused for example by a shock on said guard (12) when the knife (2) is used for striking operations for example. The positioning of the user's hand behind said guard (12) also reduces the risk of accidental unlocking because said hand makes it possible to keep the guard (12) in position and thus to keep the first piece (10) in the first position of locking.

To also allow a maintenance of the blade (4) in the second folded storage position, said blade (4) comprises in the lower part of its heel, intended to be hidden between the two plates (6), a hook portion ( 13). This hook portion (13) is adapted to cooperate with a projecting element (not shown) arranged on one of the two plates (6) and internal overflow. In other words, the projecting element is arranged on the wall of one of the two plates (6), between said two plates (6). Thus, when the blade (4) is folded, the hook portion (13) cooperates with the projecting member to snap. In this way, the blade (4) is held in the folded position and the risk of accidental unfolding of the blade (4) of the knife (2) are avoided.

In a manner already known to those skilled in the art, the projecting element arranged between the two plates (6) can be made by a spring attached at one end to one of the internal walls of one of the plates (6). and provided at the other end with a ball adapted to cooperate with the hook portion (13) of the blade (4) of the knife (2).

Thus, in use, the blade (4) of the knife (2) is for example initially folded and snapped between the two plates (6) of the handle portion (3). The user must therefore exert sufficient force on the blade (4) by pulling it to unclip it and move it into the unfolded position of use. When the blade (4) comes to a stop on the central core portion (5), and that the finger (9) of said blade (4) penetrates the recess (8a) present in the flexible blade (8), the user rotates the first piece (10) by via the lever portion (10e) of said first member (10) to pass into the first locking position of the flexible blade (8).

The user then rotates the second piece (11) through the lever portion (11c) of said second piece (11) to pass into the first locking position of the first piece (10).

The blade (4) of the knife (2) is thus locked in position optimally and any accidental unlocking is removed.

The configuration of the two pivoting parts (10, 11) playing the roles of the second (10) and third (11) locking means gives the user the possibility of performing the locking and unlocking operation of the blade (4) of the knife (2) in one action. Indeed, by acting only on the second part (11) and by rotating it to pass in the first locking position, it automatically passes the first pivoting part (10) in the first locking position. The locking and unlocking operations of the second (10) and third (11) locking means can be performed with one hand.

With reference to Figures 12 and 13 , the first locking means (8) are reversible in position and the second (10) and third (11) locking means are adapted to be mounted on one side or the other of the handle portion (3). In this way the locking system (1) blade (4) in the unfolded position is reversible and can be mounted as much on a knife (2) left-handed than on a knife (2) for right-handed.

As is apparent from the foregoing, the invention thus provides a blade locking system in the unfolded position for knife (2) blade (4) foldable whose locking of said blade (4) in the unfolded position is optimal. The locking system (1) according to the invention has the advantage of being reversible to mount as much on a knife (2) left-handed than on a knife (2) for right-handed. The locking system according to the invention also provides a guard (12) to protect the hand of the user and is simple, safe and rational design.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above by way of example but that it extends to all embodiments covered by the appended claims.

Claims (10)

Blade locking system (1) (4) in an unfolded position for a knife (2) with a folding blade (4), comprising a handle portion (3) allowing a user to grasp the knife (2), and a blade ( 4) pivotally mounted relative to this handle portion (3), the blade (4) being pivotable to adopt either an unfolded position of use, or a folded storage position, in which it is partially hidden in said handle portion (3), characterized in that it comprises: - First locking means (8) arranged on the top of the knife, adapted to cooperate with the blade (4) and to adopt a first locking position of the blade (4) in the unfolded position and a second non-locking position of the blade (4) and; second locking means (10) capable of cooperating with said first locking means (8) and adopting a first locking position of said first locking means (8) in the first locking position of the blade (4) and a second non-locking position in which said second locking means (10) forces said first locking means (8) to adopt the second non-locking position of the blade (4). Locking system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises third locking means (11) able to cooperate with said second locking means (10) and to adopt a first locking position of said second locking means (10). locking (10) in the first locking position, and a second non-locking position. Locking system (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the third locking means (11) are able to cooperate with the second locking means (10) so that when said third locking means (11) move from the second non-locking position at the first locking position, said second (10) and first (8) locking means pass successively from the second non-locking position to the first locking position. Locking system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said first locking means (8) are in the form of a flexible blade (8) comprising a recess (8a) adapted to cooperate, when said flexible blade (8) is in the first locking position, with a finger (9) present on the heel (4a) of the blade (4). Locking system (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said second locking means (10) are in the form of a first piece (10) pivotally mounted on the handle portion (3), said first piece (10) comprising a hook portion (10b) adapted to cooperate, when said first piece (10) is in the first locking position, with the finger (9) present on said first locking means (8), to lock said first locking means (8) in the first locking position of the blade (4), and said first piece (10) comprises an eccentric portion (10d) adapted to cooperate, when said first piece is in the second non-locking position, with said first locking means (8) forcing them to adopt the second non-locking position of the blade (4), said first piece comprises a lever member (10); e) to allow the action of said lever member (10e) to pass the first piece in the first or second position. Locking system (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the lever element (10e) of the second locking means (10) constitutes, when in the first locking position, a guard (12) so as to to protect the user's hand. System (1) for locking according to claims 2 and 5, characterized in that said third locking means (11) are in the form of a second piece (11) pivotally mounted on the handle portion (3), said second piece (11) comprising a stop portion (11b) adapted to cooperate, when said second piece (11) is in the first locking position, to prevent the rotation of said first piece (10), said second piece (11) ) comprises a lever member (11c) for permitting said lever member (11c) to pass the second piece (11) in the first or second position. Locking system (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the first piece comprises a boss (10f) for snapping the second piece (11). Locking system (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first locking means (8) are reversible in position and the second (10) and third (11) locking means are adapted to be mounted on one side or the other of the handle portion (3). System (1) for locking according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is mounted on a hill of the type of survival knife or tactical knife.

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