US20170341243A1 - Knife with push button assisted-open mechanism - Google Patents
Knife with push button assisted-open mechanism Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20170341243A1 US20170341243A1 US15/364,094 US201615364094A US2017341243A1 US 20170341243 A1 US20170341243 A1 US 20170341243A1 US 201615364094 A US201615364094 A US 201615364094A US 2017341243 A1 US2017341243 A1 US 2017341243A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- toggle
- tool
- handle
- toggle component
- spring
- 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.)
- Abandoned
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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
- B25G—HANDLES FOR HAND IMPLEMENTS
- B25G3/00—Attaching handles to the implements
- B25G3/38—Hinged, pivoted, swivelling, or folding joints
-
- 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
- B26B1/042—Hand knives with adjustable blade; Pocket knives with pivoted blade lockable in adjusted position by a spring biased locking lever pivoting around an axis parallel to the pivot axis of the blade
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G21/00—Table-ware
- A47G21/02—Forks; Forks with ejectors; Combined forks and spoons; Salad servers
- A47G21/023—Forks; Forks with ejectors
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G21/00—Table-ware
- A47G21/04—Spoons; Pastry servers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C15/00—Devices for cleaning between the teeth
- A61C15/02—Toothpicks
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C15/00—Devices for cleaning between the teeth
- A61C15/04—Dental floss; Floss holders
- A61C15/046—Flossing tools
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
- B25B15/00—Screwdrivers
-
- 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
- B25F1/006—Combination or multi-purpose hand tools with percussion tool-heads or -blades, e.g. hammers, axes
-
- 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
-
- 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
-
- 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
-
- 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
- B26B1/10—Handles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
- B67B7/00—Hand- or power-operated devices for opening closed containers
- B67B7/02—Hand- or power-operated devices for opening closed containers for removing stoppers
- B67B7/04—Cork-screws
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
- B67B7/00—Hand- or power-operated devices for opening closed containers
- B67B7/16—Hand- or power-operated devices for opening closed containers for removing flanged caps, e.g. crown caps
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
- B67B7/00—Hand- or power-operated devices for opening closed containers
- B67B7/30—Hand-operated cutting devices
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C15/00—Devices for cleaning between the teeth
- A61C15/04—Dental floss; Floss holders
- A61C15/043—Containers, dispensers, or the like, e.g. with cutting means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
- B67B7/00—Hand- or power-operated devices for opening closed containers
- B67B7/30—Hand-operated cutting devices
- B67B2007/303—Hand-operated cutting devices can openers
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates generally to the field of folding utility tools, and, more specifically, to a folding utility tool with a push button assisted-open mechanism.
- Folding knives with assisted-open mechanisms are widely used by hunters, carpenters, and outdoor enthusiasts for their portability and safe handling when folded.
- Traditional assisted-open folding knives typically contain a knife blade having a protrusion such as a stud, pin, or oversized tang extending out from an exposed portion of the knife blade when the folding knife is in a closed position.
- a user When deploying such knives, a user typically pushes on the protrusion to actuate the knife blade.
- assisted-open folding knives are often difficult to maneuver and may harm the user's fingers or hands when the user is unfamiliar with the operation of the assisted-open mechanism.
- some assisted-open folding knives may require the user to place the user's thumb dangerously close to the blade of the knife in order to actuate the knife blade.
- the knife blade of such assisted-open folding knives can be difficult to deploy and may require the user to hold the handle of the knife with one hand and pull on the knife blade with the user's other hand in order to fully deploy the knife blade.
- some assisted-open folding knives may be deployed on accident when a part of the user's body or an object brushes against the protrusion on the knife blade.
- the folding knife can include a handle having at least two handle sides spaced apart. The two handle sides can define a blade cavity in between the two handle sides.
- a blade can be pivotally connected to the handle.
- the blade can have a drive pin connected to and extending out from a side of the blade.
- a toggle component can be pivotally connected to at least one of the two handle sides at a pivot pin.
- the toggle component can have a retaining notch defined along an edge of the toggle component.
- the folding knife can include a spring having an arcuate segment or a bended segment along a longitudinal axis of the spring.
- the spring can be coupled to at least one of the two handle sides at one end and the toggle component at the other end.
- the spring can be a tension spring comprising at least one coiled segment, the arcuate segment, and one or more straight segments.
- the drive pin of the blade can be positioned within the retaining notch when at least part of the blade is folded into the blade cavity.
- the folding knife can also include a clearance slot defined along at least one of the two handle sides and part of the drive pin can project through the clearance slot.
- the toggle component can also include a button top.
- the toggle component can rotate in a toggle rotational direction (e.g., a counterclockwise direction) in response to a force applied to the button top by a user of the folding knife in the direction of the handle bottom.
- the blade can be deployed out of the blade cavity in a blade rotational direction (e.g., a clockwise direction) in response to the rotation of the toggle component.
- the toggle rotational direction can be counter to the blade rotational direction.
- the drive pin can move within the clearance slot as the blade is rotated.
- the retaining notch can be defined in part by a toggle nose of the toggle component and the blade can be deployed when the toggle nose actuates or biases the drive pin of the blade when the toggle component is rotated in the toggle rotational direction.
- the spring can pull the toggle component in a first rotational direction (e.g., a clockwise direction) when the folding knife is in a folded configuration.
- the spring can also pull the toggle component in a second rotational direction (e.g., a counterclockwise direction) when the folding knife is in an open configuration.
- the first rotational direction can be counter to the second rotational direction.
- the spring can pull the toggle component in the second rotational direction when the toggle component passes an over-center position in response to a force applied to the button top by a user of the folding knife in the direction of the handle bottom.
- the arcuate segment of the spring can partially surround or encompass the pivot pin when the spring pulls the toggle component in the first rotational direction.
- the handle can further include at least one outer handle side and at least two inner handle sides.
- the toggle component can be positioned in between the at least one outer handle side and one of the inner handle sides.
- the blade of the folding knife can also include a partial tang and the partial tang can rotate in between the at least two inner handle sides without protruding from a handle top of the handle.
- the folding knife can further include a locking slide bar coupled to a locking slide pin.
- the locking slide pin can prevent the toggle component from rotating when the locking slide pin contacts and pushes against a locking notch defined along an edge of the toggle component.
- the folding utility tool can include a handle having at least two handle sides spaced apart. The two handle sides can define a tool cavity in between the two handle sides.
- a tool arm can be pivotally connected to the handle.
- the tool arm can have a drive pin connected to and extending out from a side of the tool arm.
- a toggle component can be pivotally connected to at least one of the two handle sides at a pivot pin.
- the toggle component can have a retaining notch defined along an edge of the toggle component.
- the folding utility tool can include a spring having an arcuate or arc-like segment or a bended segment along a longitudinal axis of the spring.
- the spring can be coupled to at least one of the two handle sides at one end and the toggle component at the other end.
- the spring can be a tension spring comprising at least one coiled segment, the arcuate segment, and one or more straight segments.
- the drive pin of the tool arm can be positioned within the retaining notch when at least part of the tool arm is folded into the tool cavity.
- the folding utility tool can also include a clearance slot defined along at least one of the two handle sides and part of the drive pin can project through the clearance slot.
- the toggle component can also include a button top.
- the toggle component can rotate in a toggle rotational direction (e.g., a counterclockwise direction) in response to a force applied to the button top by a user of the folding utility tool in the direction of the handle bottom.
- the tool arm can be deployed out of the tool cavity in an arm rotational direction (e.g., a clockwise direction) in response to the rotation of the toggle component.
- the toggle rotational direction can be counter to the arm rotational direction.
- the drive pin can move within the clearance slot as the tool arm is rotated.
- the retaining notch can be defined in part by a toggle nose of the toggle component and the tool arm can be deployed when the toggle nose actuates or biases the drive pin of the tool arm when the toggle component is rotated in the toggle rotational direction.
- the spring can pull the toggle component in a first rotational direction (e.g., a clockwise direction) when the folding utility tool is in a folded configuration.
- the spring can also pull the toggle component in a second rotational direction (e.g., a counterclockwise direction) when the folding utility tool is in an open configuration.
- the first rotational direction can be counter to the second rotational direction.
- the spring can pull the toggle component in the second rotational direction when the toggle component passes an over-center position in response to a force applied to the button top by a user of the folding utility tool in the direction of the handle bottom.
- the arcuate segment of the spring can partially surround or encompass the pivot pin when the spring pulls the toggle component in the first rotational direction.
- the handle can further include at least one outer handle side and at least two inner handle sides.
- the toggle component can be positioned in between the at least one outer handle side and one of the inner handle sides.
- the folding utility tool can include a tool head coupled to the tool arm.
- the tool head can include a part of a screwdriver, a fork, a spoon, a toothpick, a flossing tool, a corkscrew, a bottle opener, or a can opener.
- the tool head can be folded into the tool cavity when the folding utility tool is in the folded configuration.
- the folding utility tool can further include a locking slide bar coupled to a locking slide pin.
- the locking slide pin can prevent the toggle component from rotating when the locking slide pin contacts and pushes against a locking notch defined along an edge of the toggle component.
- FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a folding knife with a push button assisted-open mechanism.
- FIG. 2A illustrates a left side view of the folding knife of FIG. 1 assembled and closed into a folded configuration with an outer handle side removed.
- FIG. 2B illustrates the folding knife of FIG. 2A with a blade of the folding knife beginning to deploy.
- FIG. 2C illustrates the folding knife of FIG. 2A with the blade of the folding knife in mid-deployment.
- FIG. 2D illustrates the folding knife of FIG. 2A in an open configuration.
- FIG. 2E illustrates another embodiment of the folding knife with a button top of the folding knife obscured by a handle top.
- FIG. 3 illustrates a top plan view of the folding knife of FIG. 1 in an assembled state and open configuration.
- FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up side view of the assisted-open mechanism of the folding knife of FIG. 1 in an assembled state and open configuration.
- FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic of a toggle component and spring of the assisted-open mechanism in operation.
- FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a folding utility tool in an open configuration.
- FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a folding knife 100 with a push button assisted-open mechanism in one or more embodiments.
- the folding knife 100 can include a handle 104 having a first outer handle side 114 , a first inner handle side 116 , a second inner handle side 118 , and a second outer handle side 120 .
- the folding knife 100 can include additional handle sides or handle adornments in between the aforementioned handle sides or attached to such handle sides.
- the handle 104 can include a handle top 166 and a handle bottom 168 .
- the handle bottom 168 can be a portion of the handle 104 configured to receive the fingers of a user when the user grips the handle 104 in a handshake grip.
- the handle bottom 168 can be defined by one or more handle grooves, finger holds, or grips along an edge of the handle bottom 168 .
- the handle top 166 can be a portion of the handle 104 configured to receive the palm of the user when the user grips the handle 104 in the handshake grip.
- the handle top 166 can be defined by one or more divots, dips, or cutouts allowing a user to access a component of the folding knife 100 in between the handle sides.
- the handle 104 can also include a base end and a blade end opposite the base end.
- the handle 104 including the first outer handle side 114 , the first inner handle side 116 , the second inner handle side 118 , and the second outer handle side 120 can have a plurality of handle bores 122 or bore holes along a length of the handle 104 in between the base end and the blade end.
- the first outer handle side 114 , the first inner handle side 116 , the second inner handle side 118 , and the second outer handle side 120 can each have the same handle bores 122 aligned laterally so a fastener 162 or pin threads through the laterally aligned handle bores 122 to attach or couple the first outer handle side 114 to the first inner handle side 116 , the first inner handle side 116 to the second inner handle side 118 , and the second inner handle side 118 to the second outer handle side 120 .
- Each of the first outer handle side 114 , the first inner handle side 116 , the second inner handle side 118 , and the second outer handle side 120 can be shaped similar to one another and can serve as one piece or layer of the handle 104 .
- the first outer handle side 114 and the second outer handle side 120 can serve as the outer covering of the handle 104 and the first inner handle side 116 and the second inner handle side 118 can serve as the inner layers of the handle 104 .
- the handle 104 can be fabricated from or comprise a polymer, a metal, wood or other organic material, a ceramic, or a composite thereof.
- the handle 104 can be fabricated from or comprise acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, polycarbonate, polypropylene, rubber, or a combination thereof.
- ABS acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
- the handle 104 can be fabricated from or comprise stainless steel, titanium, an alloy thereof, or any combination therewith.
- the first inner handle side 116 can be coupled to the second inner handle side 118 by a plurality of fasteners 162 or pins and can define a blade cavity 300 (see FIG. 3 ) in between the first inner handle side 116 and the second inner handle side 118 .
- the fasteners 162 can include screws, bolts, nuts, washers, pins, flanges, spacers, or a combination thereof.
- the handle bores 122 can comprise a plurality of handle axle bores 124 .
- the folding knife 100 can comprise a blade 102 pivotally connected to the handle 104 at the plurality of handle axle bores 124 .
- the blade 102 can have a blade axle bore 112 and the blade 102 can pivot or rotate around a blade axle 160 thread through the handle axle bores 124 and the blade axle bore 112 .
- the blade axle 160 can be a rod or pin serving as part of a fastener 162 .
- the blade 102 can have a drive pin 110 connected to and extending or projecting out from a surface of the blade 102 .
- the blade surface having the drive pin 110 can be referred to as the pin side 164 of the blade 102 .
- the drive pin 110 can extend or project out orthogonally from the pin side 164 of the blade 102 .
- the pin side 164 of the blade 102 can also have a thumb stud 108 connected to and extending or projecting out from the blade surface.
- the thumb stud 108 can be positioned above the drive pin 110 or proximal to the handle top 166 relative to the drive pin 110 . In other embodiments not shown in the figures, the thumb stud 108 can be positioned below the drive pin 110 or proximal to the handle bottom 168 relative to the drive pin 110 .
- the blade 102 can be fabricated from or comprise a metal, a polymer, or a composite thereof.
- the blade 102 can be fabricated from or comprise stainless steel.
- the blade 102 can be fabricated from or comprise carbon steel, cobalt, titanium, ceramics, or alloys thereof.
- the blade 102 can be fabricated from or comprise a polymer such as ABS plastic, polycarbonate, or a combination thereof.
- the folding knife 100 can have a clearance slot 154 defined along the first inner handle side 116 .
- the folding knife 100 can have multiple clearance slots 154 defined along the first inner handle side 116 , the first outer handle side 114 , the second inner handle side 118 , the second outer handle side 120 , or a combination thereof.
- the multiple clearance slots 154 can be laterally aligned.
- the clearance slot 154 can be an arcuate or substantially arch-shaped clearance slot as shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 4 .
- the clearance slot 154 can be an opening shaped as a circle or half-circle.
- At least a portion of the drive pin 110 can be located within the clearance slot 154 while other portions of the drive pin 110 can project or extend through the clearance slot 154 as the blade 102 pivotally rotates around the blade axle 160 .
- the folding knife 100 can include a toggle component 132 pivotally connected to the handle 104 at a pivot pin 148 .
- the toggle component 132 can be pivotally connected to the first inner handle side 116 , the first outer handle side 114 , or a combination thereof.
- the toggle component 132 can have a button top 134 , a toggle nose 136 , or a combination thereof.
- the toggle component 132 also can have a retaining notch 150 and a locking notch 152 defined along an edge of the toggle component 132 .
- the retaining notch 150 and the locking notch 152 can be defined along the same edge of the toggle component 132 .
- the toggle component 132 can be substantially shaped as a trapezoid.
- the toggle component 132 can be shaped as an acute or obtuse trapezoid having a thickness between 1.0 mm and 5.0 mm.
- the toggle component 132 can be shaped as a triangle, a rectangle, a rhombus or diamond, or a parallelogram.
- the button top 134 can be a portion of the toggle component 132 projecting out from the handle top 166 .
- the button top 134 can be a portion of the toggle component 132 perpendicular to the substantially trapezoidal body of the toggle component 132 .
- the button top 134 can jut out from the trapezoidal body of the toggle component 132 and act as an overhang covering or obscuring a portion of the handle top 166 .
- the button top 134 can be flush with the handle top 166 when the folding knife 100 is in a folded configuration 200 (see FIG. 2A ).
- a user of the folding knife 100 can press on the button top 134 to actuate and deploy the blade 102 .
- the button top 134 can translate a force applied to the button top 134 in the direction of the handle bottom 166 to the rest of the toggle component 132 and the force can rotate the toggle component 132 in a rotational direction such as a counterclockwise direction when viewed from the first outer handle side 114 to the second outer handle side 120 .
- the toggle component 132 can be pivotally connected to the handle 104 at or near a vertex or corner of the toggle component 132 .
- the toggle component 132 can be pivotally connected to the handle 104 at an acute vertex or corner of the base of the trapezoid.
- the retaining notch 150 of the toggle component 132 can be defined at the other acute vertex or corner of the base of the trapezoid.
- the retaining notch 150 can be defined by the toggle nose 136 and the base edge of the toggle component 132 .
- the toggle nose 136 can extend or protrude out past the retaining notch 150 .
- the retaining notch 150 can be a groove or divot defined along a side edge of the toggle component 132 .
- the drive pin 110 can be positioned within the retaining notch 150 when the blade 102 is folded into the blade cavity 300 and the folding knife 100 is in the folded configuration 200 .
- the blade 102 can be deployed out of the blade cavity 300 in response to the rotation of the toggle component 132 .
- the toggle nose 136 can actuate the drive pin 110 of the blade 102 by pushing on the portion of the drive pin 110 projecting through the clearance slot 154 .
- the toggle nose 136 can push the drive pin 110 further into the clearance slot 154 .
- the trajectory of the drive pin 110 can follow the shape of the clearance slot 154 as the toggle nose 136 pushes the drive pin 110 toward the blade end of the handle 104 .
- the blade 102 can be deployed when the movement of the drive pin 110 rotates the blade 102 in a rotational direction counter to the rotation of the toggle component 132 .
- the toggle component 132 can rotate in a counterclockwise direction which, in turn, causes the blade 102 to rotate out of the blade cavity 300 in a clockwise direction.
- the rotation of the toggle component 132 will be discussed in more detail in the following sections.
- the toggle component 132 can be positioned in between the first outer handle side 114 and the first inner handle side 116 .
- the clearance slot 154 can be defined along the surface of the first inner handle side 116 and the drive pin can project orthogonally out of the blade surface toward the first outer handle side 114 .
- the toggle component 132 can be positioned in between the second outer handle side 120 and the second inner handle side 118 .
- the clearance slot 154 can be defined along the surface of the second inner handle side 118 and the drive pin 110 can project orthogonally out of the other blade surface toward the second outer handle side 120 .
- the blade 102 can comprise a tang 106 .
- the tang 106 can be a partial tang such as a half or quarter tang.
- the partial tang can rotate in between the first inner handle side 116 and the second inner handle side 118 without the tang 106 projecting from the handle top 166 .
- the tang 106 of the blade 102 can be obscured or covered by the handle 104 including the first outer handle side 114 and the second outer handle side 120 when the folding knife 100 is in either the folded configuration 200 or an open configuration 204 (see FIG. 2D ).
- the blade 102 can rotate until a part of the blade 102 makes contact with a stop pin 156 .
- the folding knife 100 can comprise a liner lock coupled to the first inner handle side 116 or the second inner handle side 118 .
- the liner lock can spring out laterally from the inner handle side when the blade 102 is at least partially deployed from the blade cavity 300 and a tip or end of the liner lock can contact or jam against the tang 106 of the blade 102 to lock the blade 102 into place when the folding knife 100 is in the open configuration 204 .
- the folding knife 100 can also comprise a spring 138 having an arcuate segment 140 or portion along a longitudinal axis 508 (see FIG. 5 ) of the spring 138 .
- the spring 138 can be fabricated from or comprise a metal, a polymer, or a composite thereof.
- the spring 138 can be fabricated from or comprise stainless steel.
- the spring 138 can be fabricated from or comprise a shape memory material such as Nitinol.
- the spring 138 can be fabricated from or comprise a polymer.
- the spring 138 can be coupled to at least one of the first inner handle side 116 and the first outer handle side 114 at one end of the spring 138 .
- the spring 138 can be coupled to at least one of the first inner handle side 116 and the first outer handle side 114 at a first inner handle site 142 by one or more securement pins 146 .
- the spring 138 can also be coupled to the toggle component 132 at the other end of the spring 138 at a toggle site 144 by one or more securement pins 146 .
- the spring 138 can have one or more coiled segments 400 (see FIG. 4 ), one or more straight segments, and the arcuate segment 140 .
- the spring 138 can be a tension spring.
- the arcuate segment 140 of the spring 138 can partially surround the pivot pin 148 about which the toggle component 132 rotates.
- the arcuate segment 140 can partially surround the pivot pin 148 when the folding knife 100 is in the folded configuration 200 .
- the folding knife 100 can also comprise a locking mechanism.
- the locking mechanism can include a locking slide bar 128 having a locking slide pin 130 projecting out from a surface of the locking bar 128 .
- the locking slide pin 130 can lock the toggle component 132 by preventing the toggle component 132 from rotating when the locking slide pin 130 contacts or is partially encompassed by the locking notch 152 of the toggle component 132 .
- the locking slide bar 128 , the locking slide pin 130 , or a portion therein can be positioned within a lock opening 126 and can slide longitudinally within the lock opening 126 .
- the locking slide pin 130 can extend out orthogonally from an inner surface of the locking slide bar 128 and project through the lock opening 126 to contact the locking notch of the toggle component 132 .
- a user can push the locking slide bar 128 in the direction of the blade end of the handle 104 to disengage the locking mechanism and allow the toggle component 132 to rotate about the pivot pin 148 .
- FIG. 2A illustrates a left side view of an assembled folding knife 100 in a folded configuration 200 .
- the first outer handle side 114 of the folding knife 100 has been removed in this view to expose the toggle component 132 .
- the drive pin 110 can be within or partially surrounded by the retaining notch 150 of the toggle component 132 when the folding knife 100 is in the folded configuration 200 .
- a portion of the blade 102 including the blade tip, can be housed in the blade cavity 300 when the folding knife 100 is in the folded configuration 200 .
- the thumb stud 108 can be visible when the folding knife 100 is in the folded configuration 200 .
- the locking slide bar 128 , the locking slide pin 130 , or a combination thereof can lock the toggle component 132 by preventing the toggle component 132 from rotating about the pivot pin 148 .
- the locking slide bar 128 , the locking slide pin 130 , or a portion therein, can be located within the locking notch 152 when the folding knife 100 is in the folded configuration 200 .
- the spring 138 can pull the toggle component 132 in a clockwise rotational direction (as viewed in the direction of the second inner handle side 118 from the first inner handle side 116 ) when the drive pin 110 is housed within the retaining notch 150 .
- the button top 134 of the toggle component 132 can protrude past the handle top 166 , allowing a user of the folding knife 100 to push on the button top 134 to deploy the blade 102 .
- FIG. 2A also illustrates that the tang 106 of the blade 102 does not protrude out of or past the handle top 166 when the folding knife 100 is in the folded configuration 200 .
- FIG. 2B illustrates the folding knife 100 of FIG. 2A with the blade 102 beginning to deploy.
- the blade 102 can be deployed out of the blade cavity 300 in a blade rotational direction 202 .
- the blade rotational direction 202 can be a clockwise direction as viewed in the direction of the second inner handle side 118 from the first inner handle side 116 .
- the drive pin 110 can be forced by the toggle nose 136 out of the retaining notch 150 and along a trajectory following the shape of the clearance slot 154 .
- the blade 102 can be deployed out of the blade cavity 300 in response to a user pressing down on the button top 134 of the toggle component 132 .
- the user can press the button top 134 to cause the toggle component 132 to rotate in a toggle rotational direction 504 (see FIG. 5 ).
- the toggle rotational direction 504 can be a counterclockwise direction as viewed in the direction of the second inner handle side 118 from the first inner handle side 116 .
- the toggle rotational direction 504 can be counter to the blade rotational direction 202 .
- FIG. 2B shows that the spring 138 can pull the toggle component 132 in a counterclockwise rotational direction (as viewed in the direction of the second inner handle side 118 from the first inner handle side 116 ).
- the button top 134 can protrude or extend beyond the handle top 166 . In other embodiments not shown in FIG. 2A , the button top 134 can be flush with the handle top 166 and the handle top 166 can be defined by a divot or cut-out portion allowing a user access to the button top 134 .
- FIG. 2C illustrates the folding knife 100 of FIG. 2A with the blade 102 of the folding knife 100 in mid-deployment.
- the drive pin 110 can be positioned further along the curve of the clearance slot 154 .
- the drive pin 110 can be carried further along the curve of the clearance slot 154 by the rotational motion of the blade 102 , the force exerted on the drive pin 110 by the toggle nose 136 , or a combination thereof.
- the toggle nose 136 can exert a force on the drive pin 110 as the spring 138 pulls the toggle component 132 in the counterclockwise rotational direction.
- the blade 102 of the folding knife 100 can be automatically deployed up to this point in its rotational trajectory in response to the user pushing on the button top 134 of the toggle component 132 .
- the user can further deploy the blade 102 and guide the folding knife 100 into the open configuration 204 of FIG. 2D by using the thumb stud 108 of the blade 102 .
- the design of the folding knife 100 including the tension of the spring 138 and the shapes of the toggle component 132 and clearance slot 154 , can be configured to prevent the blade 102 from being fully deployed in response to the user pressing on the button top 134 of the toggle component 132 .
- This design allows the folding knife 100 to function as an assisted-open knife rather than a switchblade (which is outlawed by certain U.S. and international jurisdictions).
- FIG. 2D illustrates the folding knife 100 of FIG. 2A in an open configuration 204 .
- the drive pin 110 can be located at an opposite end of the clearance slot 154 from its initial starting point.
- a portion of the button top 134 can be sunk into the handle top 166 when the folding knife 100 is in the open configuration 204 .
- the spring 138 can pull the toggle component 132 in a counterclockwise rotational direction when the folding knife 100 is in the open configuration 204 .
- FIGS. 2B, 2C, and 2D also show that the tang 106 of the blade 102 can be a partial tang.
- the partial tang can rotate in between the first inner handle side 116 and the second inner handle side 118 when the blade 102 rotates in the blade rotational direction 202 .
- the partial tang can rotate in between the first inner handle side 116 and the second inner handle side 118 without the partial tang protruding from the handle top 166 .
- FIG. 2E illustrates another embodiment of the folding knife 100 with the button top 134 of the toggle component 132 below the handle top 166 or obscured by the handle top 166 in response to a user pressing on the button top 134 .
- a user can press on the button top 134 of the toggle component 132 to deploy the blade 102 .
- the button top 134 of the toggle component 132 can be below or obscured by the handle top 166 when the spring pulls the toggle component 132 in a second rotational direction 502 (see FIG. 5 ).
- the spring 138 can pull the toggle component 132 in the second rotational direction 502 when the toggle component 132 has passed an over-center position 510 (see FIG. 5 ).
- the toggle component 132 can be inaccessible to a user of the folding knife 100 when the button top 134 is below or obscured by the handle top 166 .
- the toggle component 132 can rotate in a first rotational direction 500 (see FIG. 5 ) to return the toggle component 132 to its original position when the blade 102 is folded back into the blade cavity 300 (See FIG. 3 ).
- the drive pin 110 of the blade 102 can push back on the toggle component 132 , including the retaining notch 150 of the toggle component 132 , the toggle nose 136 , or a combination thereof to rotate the toggle component 132 in the first rotational direction 500 .
- the button top 134 can once again be accessible to the user of the folding knife 100 when the toggle component 132 is being pulled by the spring 138 in the first rotational direction 500 .
- FIG. 3 illustrates a top plan view of the folding knife 100 of FIG. 1 in an assembled state.
- FIG. 3 shows that the first inner handle side 116 can be spaced apart from the second inner handle side 118 and define a blade cavity 300 in between the first inner handle side 116 and the second inner handle side 118 .
- FIG. 3 shows that the toggle component 132 and the spring 138 can be housed in between the first outer handle side 114 and the first inner handle side 116 .
- the folding knife 100 can comprise a liner lock coupled to the first inner handle side 116 or the second inner handle side 118 .
- the liner lock can spring out laterally from the inner handle side when the blade 102 is at least partially deployed from the blade cavity 300 and a tip or end of the liner lock can contact or jam against the tang 106 of the blade 102 to lock the blade 102 into place when the folding knife 100 is in the open configuration 204 .
- FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up side view of the assisted-open mechanism of the folding knife 100 of FIG. 1 in an assembled state.
- the assisted-open mechanism can comprise, but is not limited to, the toggle component 132 , the spring 138 , the pivot pin 148 , the drive pin 110 , the clearance slot 154 , the locking slide bar 128 , and the locking slide pin 130 .
- FIG. 4 also illustrates that the spring 138 can have at least one coiled segment 400 , the arcuate segment 140 , and one or more straight segments.
- the spring 138 can be coupled to the toggle component 132 at the toggle site 144 .
- the spring 138 can be coupled to the toggle site 144 at one end of the spring 138 .
- the spring 138 can also be coupled to the first inner handle side 116 at the first inner handle site 142 .
- the spring can be coupled to the first inner handle site 142 at the other end of the spring 138 .
- FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic of the toggle component 132 and the spring 138 of the assisted-open mechanism in operation.
- the spring 138 can pull the toggle component 132 in a first rotational direction 500 (e.g., a clockwise direction when viewed in the direction of the first inner handle side 116 from the first outer handle side 114 ) when the folding knife 100 is in the folded configuration 200 .
- the spring 138 can have a longitudinal axis 508 .
- the longitudinal axis 508 can be a line running along a length of the spring 138 and used to orient the spring 138 .
- the longitudinal axis 508 can be a line running from the first inner handle site 142 to the toggle site 144 .
- the arcuate segment 140 of the spring 138 can be below the longitudinal axis 508 (when viewed in the direction of the first inner handle side 116 from the first outer handle side 114 ).
- the longitudinal axis 508 can be above the pivot pin 148 when the spring 138 is pulling the toggle component 132 in the first rotational direction 500 .
- the arcuate segment 140 of the spring 138 allows the spring 138 to pull the toggle component 132 in the first rotational direction 500 (e.g., a clockwise direction when viewed in the direction of the first inner handle side 116 from the first outer handle side 114 ) without the spring 138 being hindered by the pivot pin 148 .
- the arcuate segment 140 of the spring 138 can partially surround or encompass the pivot pin 148 when the spring 138 pulls the toggle component 132 in the first rotational direction 500 .
- the toggle component 132 when pulled by the spring 138 , can also have an over-center position 510 .
- the over-center position 510 can be a point along the rotational trajectory of the toggle component 132 where the spring 138 pulls the toggle component 132 in a second rotational direction 502 (e.g., a counterclockwise direction when viewed in the direction of the first inner handle side 116 from the first outer handle side 114 ) rather than the first rotational direction 500 .
- the over-center position 510 can be represented by a line extending from the first inner handle site 142 to the pivot pin 148 .
- the spring 138 can pull the toggle component 132 in the second rotational direction 502 when the longitudinal axis 508 of the spring 138 falls below the over-center position 510 when viewed in the direction of the first inner handle side 116 from the first outer handle side 114 .
- the spring 138 can pull the toggle component 132 in the second rotational direction 502 when the folding knife 100 is in the open configuration 204 .
- the second rotational direction 502 can be counter to the first rotational direction 500 .
- the spring 138 can automatically switch from pulling the toggle component 132 in the first rotational direction 500 to pulling the toggle component 132 in the second rotational direction 502 when the toggle component 132 passes the over-center position 510 in response to a force applied to the button top 134 by a user of the folding knife 100 in the direction of the handle bottom 168 .
- the user can apply a force in a downward direction 506 as shown in FIG. 5 .
- the force of the spring 138 pulling on the toggle site 144 in the second rotational direction 502 (e.g., counterclockwise) is translated by the toggle nose 136 into a pushing force on the drive pin 110 to rotate the blade 102 in the blade rotational direction 202 (e.g., clockwise).
- a user can press or push on the button top 134 of the toggle component 132 to initiate the deployment of the blade 102 .
- the toggle component 132 can cause the blade 102 to rotate to approximately 21 degrees from a starting position parallel to the longitudinal axis of the folding knife 100 .
- the spring 138 can take over and pull the toggle component 132 in the second rotational direction 502 .
- the pulling of the toggle component 132 in the second rotational direction 502 can cause the blade 102 to rotate to approximately 45 degrees from a starting position parallel to the longitudinal axis of the folding knife 100 .
- the user can use the thumb stud 108 or apply a force to the blade 102 to rotate the blade to the open configuration 204 .
- FIG. 6 illustrates a folding utility tool 600 in one or more embodiments.
- the folding utility tool 600 can include a handle 104 comprising a first inner handle side 116 spaced apart from a second inner handle side 118 (see FIGS. 1 and 3 ).
- the first inner handle side 116 and the second inner handle side 118 can define a tool cavity in between the two handle sides.
- a tool arm 602 can be pivotally connected to the handle 104 .
- the tool arm 602 can have a drive pin 110 connected to and extending or projecting out from a side of the tool arm 602 .
- a toggle component 132 can be pivotally connected to at least one of the two handle sides at a pivot pin 148 .
- the toggle component 132 can have a retaining notch 150 defined along an edge of the toggle component 132 .
- the folding utility tool 600 can include a spring 138 having an arcuate or arc-like segment 140 or a bended segment along a longitudinal axis 508 of the spring 138 .
- the spring 138 can be coupled to at least one of the two handle sides at a first inner handle site 142 at one end of the spring 138 and the toggle component at a toggle site 144 at the other end of the spring 138 .
- the spring 138 can be a tension spring comprising at least one coiled segment 140 , the arcuate segment 140 , and one or more straight segments.
- the drive pin 110 of the tool arm 602 can be positioned within the retaining notch 150 when at least part of the tool arm 602 is folded into the tool cavity.
- the folding utility tool 600 can also include a clearance slot 154 defined along the first inner handle side 116 (see FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 4 ) and part of the drive pin can project through the clearance slot.
- the toggle component can also include a button top 134 .
- the toggle component 132 can rotate in a toggle rotational direction 504 (e.g., a counterclockwise direction) in response to a force applied to the button top 134 by a user of the folding utility tool 600 in the direction of the handle bottom 166 .
- the tool arm 602 can be deployed out of the tool cavity in an arm rotational direction 606 (e.g., a clockwise direction) in response to the rotation of the toggle component 132 .
- the toggle rotational direction 504 can be counter to the arm rotational direction 606 .
- the drive pin 110 can move within the clearance slot 154 as the tool arm 602 is rotated.
- the retaining notch 150 can be defined in part by a toggle nose 136 of the toggle component 132 and the tool arm 602 can be deployed when the toggle nose 136 actuates or biases the drive pin 110 of the tool arm 602 when the toggle component 132 is rotated in the toggle rotational direction 504 .
- the spring 138 can pull the toggle component 132 in a first rotational direction 500 (e.g., a clockwise direction, see FIG. 5 ) when the folding utility tool 600 is in a folded configuration 200 (see FIG. 2A ).
- the spring 138 can also pull the toggle component 132 in a second rotational direction 502 (e.g., a counterclockwise direction, see FIG. 5 ) when the folding utility tool 600 is in an open configuration 204 (see FIG. 2D ).
- the first rotational direction 500 can be counter to the second rotational direction 502 .
- the spring 138 can pull the toggle component 132 in the second rotational direction 502 when the toggle component 132 passes an over-center position 510 (see FIG.
- the arcuate segment 140 of the spring 138 can partially surround or encompass the pivot pin 148 when the spring 138 pulls the toggle component 132 in the first rotational direction 500 .
- the handle 104 can further include at least one outer handle side 114 (see FIG. 1 ).
- the toggle component can be positioned in between the outer handle side 114 and the first inner handle side 116 .
- the folding utility tool 600 can include a tool head 604 coupled to the tool arm 602 .
- the tool head 604 can include a part of a screwdriver, a fork, a spoon, a toothpick, a flossing tool, a corkscrew, a bottle opener, a file, a saw, or a can opener.
- the tool head 604 can be folded into the tool cavity when the folding utility tool 600 is in the folded configuration 200 .
- the folding utility tool 600 can further include a locking slide bar 128 coupled to a locking slide pin 130 .
- the locking slide pin 130 can prevent the toggle component 132 from rotating when the locking slide pin 130 contacts and pushes against a locking notch 152 (see FIG. 1 ) defined along an edge of the toggle component 132 .
- the folding knife 100 of the present disclosure provides a technological advancement in the safe operation of assisted-open folding knives.
- the toggle component 132 permits a user to press on the button top 134 of the toggle component 132 to deploy the blade 102 of the folding knife 100 .
- the user is no long required to fumble with the blade 102 or the tang 106 of the blade 102 in order to actuate the assisted-open mechanism.
- the folding knife 100 of the present disclosures also provides a more intuitive design for assisted-open folding knives. A user who has never used the folding knife 100 can quickly figure out that the blade 102 of the folding knife 100 can be deployed by pressing down on the button top 134 of the toggle component 132 .
Abstract
A folding utility with a push button assisted-open mechanism is disclosed. The folding utility tool comprising a handle comprising at least two handle sides spaced apart and defining a tool cavity therebetween; a tool arm pivotally connected to the handle, wherein the tool arm comprises a drive pin connected to and extending out from a side of the tool arm; a toggle component pivotally connected to at least one of the at least two handle sides, wherein the toggle component comprises a retaining notch; and a spring comprising an arcuate segment along a longitudinal axis of the spring, wherein the spring is coupled to at least one of the at least two handle sides at one end and the toggle component at another end, wherein the drive pin is positioned within the retaining notch when at least part of the tool arm is folded into the tool cavity.
Description
- This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/165,859 filed on May 26, 2016, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- The present disclosure relates generally to the field of folding utility tools, and, more specifically, to a folding utility tool with a push button assisted-open mechanism.
- Folding knives with assisted-open mechanisms are widely used by hunters, carpenters, and outdoor enthusiasts for their portability and safe handling when folded. Traditional assisted-open folding knives typically contain a knife blade having a protrusion such as a stud, pin, or oversized tang extending out from an exposed portion of the knife blade when the folding knife is in a closed position. When deploying such knives, a user typically pushes on the protrusion to actuate the knife blade.
- However, such traditional assisted-open folding knives are often difficult to maneuver and may harm the user's fingers or hands when the user is unfamiliar with the operation of the assisted-open mechanism. For example, some assisted-open folding knives may require the user to place the user's thumb dangerously close to the blade of the knife in order to actuate the knife blade. In addition, the knife blade of such assisted-open folding knives can be difficult to deploy and may require the user to hold the handle of the knife with one hand and pull on the knife blade with the user's other hand in order to fully deploy the knife blade. In other cases, some assisted-open folding knives may be deployed on accident when a part of the user's body or an object brushes against the protrusion on the knife blade.
- Therefore, a solution is needed which allows the user to easily and safely actuate the knife blade of an assisted-open folding knife with one hand. Such a solution should be intuitive to understand for novice users and should provide features that prevent the knife blade from inadvertently actuating when the folding knife is in a user's pocket or otherwise being carried in transit.
- A folding knife with a push button assisted-open mechanism is disclosed. In one embodiment, the folding knife can include a handle having at least two handle sides spaced apart. The two handle sides can define a blade cavity in between the two handle sides. A blade can be pivotally connected to the handle. The blade can have a drive pin connected to and extending out from a side of the blade. A toggle component can be pivotally connected to at least one of the two handle sides at a pivot pin. The toggle component can have a retaining notch defined along an edge of the toggle component. The folding knife can include a spring having an arcuate segment or a bended segment along a longitudinal axis of the spring.
- The spring can be coupled to at least one of the two handle sides at one end and the toggle component at the other end. The spring can be a tension spring comprising at least one coiled segment, the arcuate segment, and one or more straight segments. The drive pin of the blade can be positioned within the retaining notch when at least part of the blade is folded into the blade cavity.
- The folding knife can also include a clearance slot defined along at least one of the two handle sides and part of the drive pin can project through the clearance slot. The toggle component can also include a button top. The toggle component can rotate in a toggle rotational direction (e.g., a counterclockwise direction) in response to a force applied to the button top by a user of the folding knife in the direction of the handle bottom. The blade can be deployed out of the blade cavity in a blade rotational direction (e.g., a clockwise direction) in response to the rotation of the toggle component. The toggle rotational direction can be counter to the blade rotational direction. The drive pin can move within the clearance slot as the blade is rotated. The retaining notch can be defined in part by a toggle nose of the toggle component and the blade can be deployed when the toggle nose actuates or biases the drive pin of the blade when the toggle component is rotated in the toggle rotational direction.
- The spring can pull the toggle component in a first rotational direction (e.g., a clockwise direction) when the folding knife is in a folded configuration. The spring can also pull the toggle component in a second rotational direction (e.g., a counterclockwise direction) when the folding knife is in an open configuration. In these embodiments, the first rotational direction can be counter to the second rotational direction. The spring can pull the toggle component in the second rotational direction when the toggle component passes an over-center position in response to a force applied to the button top by a user of the folding knife in the direction of the handle bottom. The arcuate segment of the spring can partially surround or encompass the pivot pin when the spring pulls the toggle component in the first rotational direction.
- The handle can further include at least one outer handle side and at least two inner handle sides. The toggle component can be positioned in between the at least one outer handle side and one of the inner handle sides.
- The blade of the folding knife can also include a partial tang and the partial tang can rotate in between the at least two inner handle sides without protruding from a handle top of the handle.
- The folding knife can further include a locking slide bar coupled to a locking slide pin. The locking slide pin can prevent the toggle component from rotating when the locking slide pin contacts and pushes against a locking notch defined along an edge of the toggle component.
- Also disclosed is an embodiment of a folding utility tool. The folding utility tool can include a handle having at least two handle sides spaced apart. The two handle sides can define a tool cavity in between the two handle sides. A tool arm can be pivotally connected to the handle. The tool arm can have a drive pin connected to and extending out from a side of the tool arm. A toggle component can be pivotally connected to at least one of the two handle sides at a pivot pin. The toggle component can have a retaining notch defined along an edge of the toggle component. The folding utility tool can include a spring having an arcuate or arc-like segment or a bended segment along a longitudinal axis of the spring.
- The spring can be coupled to at least one of the two handle sides at one end and the toggle component at the other end. The spring can be a tension spring comprising at least one coiled segment, the arcuate segment, and one or more straight segments. The drive pin of the tool arm can be positioned within the retaining notch when at least part of the tool arm is folded into the tool cavity.
- The folding utility tool can also include a clearance slot defined along at least one of the two handle sides and part of the drive pin can project through the clearance slot. The toggle component can also include a button top. The toggle component can rotate in a toggle rotational direction (e.g., a counterclockwise direction) in response to a force applied to the button top by a user of the folding utility tool in the direction of the handle bottom. The tool arm can be deployed out of the tool cavity in an arm rotational direction (e.g., a clockwise direction) in response to the rotation of the toggle component. The toggle rotational direction can be counter to the arm rotational direction. The drive pin can move within the clearance slot as the tool arm is rotated. The retaining notch can be defined in part by a toggle nose of the toggle component and the tool arm can be deployed when the toggle nose actuates or biases the drive pin of the tool arm when the toggle component is rotated in the toggle rotational direction.
- The spring can pull the toggle component in a first rotational direction (e.g., a clockwise direction) when the folding utility tool is in a folded configuration. The spring can also pull the toggle component in a second rotational direction (e.g., a counterclockwise direction) when the folding utility tool is in an open configuration. In these embodiments, the first rotational direction can be counter to the second rotational direction. The spring can pull the toggle component in the second rotational direction when the toggle component passes an over-center position in response to a force applied to the button top by a user of the folding utility tool in the direction of the handle bottom. The arcuate segment of the spring can partially surround or encompass the pivot pin when the spring pulls the toggle component in the first rotational direction.
- The handle can further include at least one outer handle side and at least two inner handle sides. The toggle component can be positioned in between the at least one outer handle side and one of the inner handle sides.
- The folding utility tool can include a tool head coupled to the tool arm. The tool head can include a part of a screwdriver, a fork, a spoon, a toothpick, a flossing tool, a corkscrew, a bottle opener, or a can opener. The tool head can be folded into the tool cavity when the folding utility tool is in the folded configuration.
- The folding utility tool can further include a locking slide bar coupled to a locking slide pin. The locking slide pin can prevent the toggle component from rotating when the locking slide pin contacts and pushes against a locking notch defined along an edge of the toggle component.
-
FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a folding knife with a push button assisted-open mechanism. -
FIG. 2A illustrates a left side view of the folding knife ofFIG. 1 assembled and closed into a folded configuration with an outer handle side removed. -
FIG. 2B illustrates the folding knife ofFIG. 2A with a blade of the folding knife beginning to deploy. -
FIG. 2C illustrates the folding knife ofFIG. 2A with the blade of the folding knife in mid-deployment. -
FIG. 2D illustrates the folding knife ofFIG. 2A in an open configuration. -
FIG. 2E illustrates another embodiment of the folding knife with a button top of the folding knife obscured by a handle top. -
FIG. 3 illustrates a top plan view of the folding knife ofFIG. 1 in an assembled state and open configuration. -
FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up side view of the assisted-open mechanism of the folding knife ofFIG. 1 in an assembled state and open configuration. -
FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic of a toggle component and spring of the assisted-open mechanism in operation. -
FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a folding utility tool in an open configuration. -
FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of afolding knife 100 with a push button assisted-open mechanism in one or more embodiments. In one embodiment, thefolding knife 100 can include ahandle 104 having a firstouter handle side 114, a firstinner handle side 116, a secondinner handle side 118, and a secondouter handle side 120. In other embodiments, thefolding knife 100 can include additional handle sides or handle adornments in between the aforementioned handle sides or attached to such handle sides. Thehandle 104 can include ahandle top 166 and ahandle bottom 168. - The
handle bottom 168 can be a portion of thehandle 104 configured to receive the fingers of a user when the user grips thehandle 104 in a handshake grip. For example, thehandle bottom 168 can be defined by one or more handle grooves, finger holds, or grips along an edge of thehandle bottom 168. Thehandle top 166 can be a portion of thehandle 104 configured to receive the palm of the user when the user grips thehandle 104 in the handshake grip. Thehandle top 166 can be defined by one or more divots, dips, or cutouts allowing a user to access a component of thefolding knife 100 in between the handle sides. Thehandle 104 can also include a base end and a blade end opposite the base end. - The
handle 104 including the firstouter handle side 114, the firstinner handle side 116, the secondinner handle side 118, and the secondouter handle side 120 can have a plurality of handle bores 122 or bore holes along a length of thehandle 104 in between the base end and the blade end. The firstouter handle side 114, the firstinner handle side 116, the secondinner handle side 118, and the secondouter handle side 120 can each have the same handle bores 122 aligned laterally so afastener 162 or pin threads through the laterally aligned handle bores 122 to attach or couple the firstouter handle side 114 to the firstinner handle side 116, the firstinner handle side 116 to the secondinner handle side 118, and the secondinner handle side 118 to the secondouter handle side 120. - Each of the first
outer handle side 114, the firstinner handle side 116, the secondinner handle side 118, and the secondouter handle side 120 can be shaped similar to one another and can serve as one piece or layer of thehandle 104. For example, the firstouter handle side 114 and the secondouter handle side 120 can serve as the outer covering of thehandle 104 and the firstinner handle side 116 and the secondinner handle side 118 can serve as the inner layers of thehandle 104. - The
handle 104 can be fabricated from or comprise a polymer, a metal, wood or other organic material, a ceramic, or a composite thereof. For example, thehandle 104 can be fabricated from or comprise acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, polycarbonate, polypropylene, rubber, or a combination thereof. Also, for example, thehandle 104 can be fabricated from or comprise stainless steel, titanium, an alloy thereof, or any combination therewith. - The first
inner handle side 116 can be coupled to the secondinner handle side 118 by a plurality offasteners 162 or pins and can define a blade cavity 300 (seeFIG. 3 ) in between the firstinner handle side 116 and the secondinner handle side 118. Thefasteners 162 can include screws, bolts, nuts, washers, pins, flanges, spacers, or a combination thereof. - The handle bores 122 can comprise a plurality of handle axle bores 124. The
folding knife 100 can comprise ablade 102 pivotally connected to thehandle 104 at the plurality of handle axle bores 124. Theblade 102 can have a blade axle bore 112 and theblade 102 can pivot or rotate around ablade axle 160 thread through the handle axle bores 124 and the blade axle bore 112. In some embodiments, theblade axle 160 can be a rod or pin serving as part of afastener 162. - The
blade 102 can have adrive pin 110 connected to and extending or projecting out from a surface of theblade 102. The blade surface having thedrive pin 110 can be referred to as thepin side 164 of theblade 102. In one embodiment, thedrive pin 110 can extend or project out orthogonally from thepin side 164 of theblade 102. In some embodiments, thepin side 164 of theblade 102 can also have athumb stud 108 connected to and extending or projecting out from the blade surface. In one embodiment, thethumb stud 108 can be positioned above thedrive pin 110 or proximal to thehandle top 166 relative to thedrive pin 110. In other embodiments not shown in the figures, thethumb stud 108 can be positioned below thedrive pin 110 or proximal to thehandle bottom 168 relative to thedrive pin 110. - The
blade 102 can be fabricated from or comprise a metal, a polymer, or a composite thereof. For example, theblade 102 can be fabricated from or comprise stainless steel. In other embodiments, theblade 102 can be fabricated from or comprise carbon steel, cobalt, titanium, ceramics, or alloys thereof. In additional embodiments, theblade 102 can be fabricated from or comprise a polymer such as ABS plastic, polycarbonate, or a combination thereof. - In one embodiment, the
folding knife 100 can have aclearance slot 154 defined along the firstinner handle side 116. In other embodiments, thefolding knife 100 can havemultiple clearance slots 154 defined along the firstinner handle side 116, the firstouter handle side 114, the secondinner handle side 118, the secondouter handle side 120, or a combination thereof. In these embodiments, themultiple clearance slots 154 can be laterally aligned. - The
clearance slot 154 can be an arcuate or substantially arch-shaped clearance slot as shown inFIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 4 . In other embodiments, theclearance slot 154 can be an opening shaped as a circle or half-circle. - At least a portion of the
drive pin 110 can be located within theclearance slot 154 while other portions of thedrive pin 110 can project or extend through theclearance slot 154 as theblade 102 pivotally rotates around theblade axle 160. - The
folding knife 100 can include atoggle component 132 pivotally connected to thehandle 104 at apivot pin 148. In one embodiment, thetoggle component 132 can be pivotally connected to the firstinner handle side 116, the firstouter handle side 114, or a combination thereof. - The
toggle component 132 can have abutton top 134, atoggle nose 136, or a combination thereof. Thetoggle component 132 also can have a retainingnotch 150 and alocking notch 152 defined along an edge of thetoggle component 132. In one embodiment, the retainingnotch 150 and the lockingnotch 152 can be defined along the same edge of thetoggle component 132. In some embodiments, thetoggle component 132 can be substantially shaped as a trapezoid. For example, thetoggle component 132 can be shaped as an acute or obtuse trapezoid having a thickness between 1.0 mm and 5.0 mm. In other embodiments, thetoggle component 132 can be shaped as a triangle, a rectangle, a rhombus or diamond, or a parallelogram. - The
button top 134 can be a portion of thetoggle component 132 projecting out from thehandle top 166. Thebutton top 134 can be a portion of thetoggle component 132 perpendicular to the substantially trapezoidal body of thetoggle component 132. For example, thebutton top 134 can jut out from the trapezoidal body of thetoggle component 132 and act as an overhang covering or obscuring a portion of thehandle top 166. In another embodiment, thebutton top 134 can be flush with thehandle top 166 when thefolding knife 100 is in a folded configuration 200 (seeFIG. 2A ). - A user of the
folding knife 100 can press on thebutton top 134 to actuate and deploy theblade 102. Thebutton top 134 can translate a force applied to thebutton top 134 in the direction of thehandle bottom 166 to the rest of thetoggle component 132 and the force can rotate thetoggle component 132 in a rotational direction such as a counterclockwise direction when viewed from the firstouter handle side 114 to the secondouter handle side 120. - The
toggle component 132 can be pivotally connected to thehandle 104 at or near a vertex or corner of thetoggle component 132. When thetoggle component 132 is substantially shaped as a trapezoid, thetoggle component 132 can be pivotally connected to thehandle 104 at an acute vertex or corner of the base of the trapezoid. In this embodiment, the retainingnotch 150 of thetoggle component 132 can be defined at the other acute vertex or corner of the base of the trapezoid. - The retaining
notch 150 can be defined by thetoggle nose 136 and the base edge of thetoggle component 132. Thetoggle nose 136 can extend or protrude out past the retainingnotch 150. In other embodiments, the retainingnotch 150 can be a groove or divot defined along a side edge of thetoggle component 132. - The
drive pin 110 can be positioned within the retainingnotch 150 when theblade 102 is folded into theblade cavity 300 and thefolding knife 100 is in the foldedconfiguration 200. Theblade 102 can be deployed out of theblade cavity 300 in response to the rotation of thetoggle component 132. Thetoggle nose 136 can actuate thedrive pin 110 of theblade 102 by pushing on the portion of thedrive pin 110 projecting through theclearance slot 154. Thetoggle nose 136 can push thedrive pin 110 further into theclearance slot 154. The trajectory of thedrive pin 110 can follow the shape of theclearance slot 154 as thetoggle nose 136 pushes thedrive pin 110 toward the blade end of thehandle 104. - The
blade 102 can be deployed when the movement of thedrive pin 110 rotates theblade 102 in a rotational direction counter to the rotation of thetoggle component 132. For example, thetoggle component 132 can rotate in a counterclockwise direction which, in turn, causes theblade 102 to rotate out of theblade cavity 300 in a clockwise direction. The rotation of thetoggle component 132 will be discussed in more detail in the following sections. - In one embodiment, the
toggle component 132 can be positioned in between the firstouter handle side 114 and the firstinner handle side 116. In this embodiment, theclearance slot 154 can be defined along the surface of the firstinner handle side 116 and the drive pin can project orthogonally out of the blade surface toward the firstouter handle side 114. - In other embodiments not shown in the figures, the
toggle component 132 can be positioned in between the secondouter handle side 120 and the secondinner handle side 118. In these embodiments, theclearance slot 154 can be defined along the surface of the secondinner handle side 118 and thedrive pin 110 can project orthogonally out of the other blade surface toward the secondouter handle side 120. These embodiments allow thefolding knife 100 to be used or operated by left-handed or ambidextrous users. - As seen in
FIG. 1 , theblade 102 can comprise atang 106. Thetang 106 can be a partial tang such as a half or quarter tang. The partial tang can rotate in between the firstinner handle side 116 and the secondinner handle side 118 without thetang 106 projecting from thehandle top 166. In addition, thetang 106 of theblade 102 can be obscured or covered by thehandle 104 including the firstouter handle side 114 and the secondouter handle side 120 when thefolding knife 100 is in either the foldedconfiguration 200 or an open configuration 204 (seeFIG. 2D ). Theblade 102 can rotate until a part of theblade 102 makes contact with astop pin 156. - Although not shown in the figures, it is contemplated by this disclosure that the
folding knife 100 can comprise a liner lock coupled to the firstinner handle side 116 or the secondinner handle side 118. The liner lock can spring out laterally from the inner handle side when theblade 102 is at least partially deployed from theblade cavity 300 and a tip or end of the liner lock can contact or jam against thetang 106 of theblade 102 to lock theblade 102 into place when thefolding knife 100 is in theopen configuration 204. - The
folding knife 100 can also comprise aspring 138 having anarcuate segment 140 or portion along a longitudinal axis 508 (seeFIG. 5 ) of thespring 138. Thespring 138 can be fabricated from or comprise a metal, a polymer, or a composite thereof. For example, thespring 138 can be fabricated from or comprise stainless steel. In other embodiments, thespring 138 can be fabricated from or comprise a shape memory material such as Nitinol. In additional embodiments, thespring 138 can be fabricated from or comprise a polymer. - The
spring 138 can be coupled to at least one of the firstinner handle side 116 and the firstouter handle side 114 at one end of thespring 138. Thespring 138 can be coupled to at least one of the firstinner handle side 116 and the firstouter handle side 114 at a firstinner handle site 142 by one or more securement pins 146. Thespring 138 can also be coupled to thetoggle component 132 at the other end of thespring 138 at atoggle site 144 by one or more securement pins 146. - The
spring 138 can have one or more coiled segments 400 (seeFIG. 4 ), one or more straight segments, and thearcuate segment 140. Thespring 138 can be a tension spring. Thearcuate segment 140 of thespring 138 can partially surround thepivot pin 148 about which thetoggle component 132 rotates. Thearcuate segment 140 can partially surround thepivot pin 148 when thefolding knife 100 is in the foldedconfiguration 200. - The
folding knife 100 can also comprise a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism can include alocking slide bar 128 having a lockingslide pin 130 projecting out from a surface of the lockingbar 128. The lockingslide pin 130 can lock thetoggle component 132 by preventing thetoggle component 132 from rotating when the lockingslide pin 130 contacts or is partially encompassed by the lockingnotch 152 of thetoggle component 132. The lockingslide bar 128, the lockingslide pin 130, or a portion therein can be positioned within alock opening 126 and can slide longitudinally within thelock opening 126. The lockingslide pin 130 can extend out orthogonally from an inner surface of the lockingslide bar 128 and project through the lock opening 126 to contact the locking notch of thetoggle component 132. A user can push thelocking slide bar 128 in the direction of the blade end of thehandle 104 to disengage the locking mechanism and allow thetoggle component 132 to rotate about thepivot pin 148. -
FIG. 2A illustrates a left side view of an assembledfolding knife 100 in a foldedconfiguration 200. The firstouter handle side 114 of thefolding knife 100 has been removed in this view to expose thetoggle component 132. As shown inFIG. 2A , thedrive pin 110 can be within or partially surrounded by the retainingnotch 150 of thetoggle component 132 when thefolding knife 100 is in the foldedconfiguration 200. In addition, a portion of theblade 102, including the blade tip, can be housed in theblade cavity 300 when thefolding knife 100 is in the foldedconfiguration 200. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 2A , thethumb stud 108 can be visible when thefolding knife 100 is in the foldedconfiguration 200. - Moreover, the locking
slide bar 128, the lockingslide pin 130, or a combination thereof can lock thetoggle component 132 by preventing thetoggle component 132 from rotating about thepivot pin 148. The lockingslide bar 128, the lockingslide pin 130, or a portion therein, can be located within the lockingnotch 152 when thefolding knife 100 is in the foldedconfiguration 200. As will be discussed in more detail in the following sections, thespring 138 can pull thetoggle component 132 in a clockwise rotational direction (as viewed in the direction of the secondinner handle side 118 from the first inner handle side 116) when thedrive pin 110 is housed within the retainingnotch 150. Moreover, by pulling thetoggle component 132 in the clockwise rotational direction, thebutton top 134 of thetoggle component 132 can protrude past thehandle top 166, allowing a user of thefolding knife 100 to push on thebutton top 134 to deploy theblade 102. -
FIG. 2A also illustrates that thetang 106 of theblade 102 does not protrude out of or past thehandle top 166 when thefolding knife 100 is in the foldedconfiguration 200. -
FIG. 2B illustrates thefolding knife 100 ofFIG. 2A with theblade 102 beginning to deploy. As shown inFIG. 2B , theblade 102 can be deployed out of theblade cavity 300 in a bladerotational direction 202. The bladerotational direction 202 can be a clockwise direction as viewed in the direction of the secondinner handle side 118 from the firstinner handle side 116. As shown inFIG. 2B , thedrive pin 110 can be forced by thetoggle nose 136 out of the retainingnotch 150 and along a trajectory following the shape of theclearance slot 154. Theblade 102 can be deployed out of theblade cavity 300 in response to a user pressing down on thebutton top 134 of thetoggle component 132. The user can press thebutton top 134 to cause thetoggle component 132 to rotate in a toggle rotational direction 504 (seeFIG. 5 ). The togglerotational direction 504 can be a counterclockwise direction as viewed in the direction of the secondinner handle side 118 from the firstinner handle side 116. The togglerotational direction 504 can be counter to the bladerotational direction 202. Moreover,FIG. 2B shows that thespring 138 can pull thetoggle component 132 in a counterclockwise rotational direction (as viewed in the direction of the secondinner handle side 118 from the first inner handle side 116). - In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 2A , thebutton top 134 can protrude or extend beyond thehandle top 166. In other embodiments not shown inFIG. 2A , thebutton top 134 can be flush with thehandle top 166 and thehandle top 166 can be defined by a divot or cut-out portion allowing a user access to thebutton top 134. -
FIG. 2C illustrates thefolding knife 100 ofFIG. 2A with theblade 102 of thefolding knife 100 in mid-deployment. As shown inFIG. 2C , thedrive pin 110 can be positioned further along the curve of theclearance slot 154. Thedrive pin 110 can be carried further along the curve of theclearance slot 154 by the rotational motion of theblade 102, the force exerted on thedrive pin 110 by thetoggle nose 136, or a combination thereof. For example, thetoggle nose 136 can exert a force on thedrive pin 110 as thespring 138 pulls thetoggle component 132 in the counterclockwise rotational direction. - The
blade 102 of thefolding knife 100 can be automatically deployed up to this point in its rotational trajectory in response to the user pushing on thebutton top 134 of thetoggle component 132. At this point, the user can further deploy theblade 102 and guide thefolding knife 100 into theopen configuration 204 ofFIG. 2D by using thethumb stud 108 of theblade 102. The design of thefolding knife 100, including the tension of thespring 138 and the shapes of thetoggle component 132 andclearance slot 154, can be configured to prevent theblade 102 from being fully deployed in response to the user pressing on thebutton top 134 of thetoggle component 132. This design allows thefolding knife 100 to function as an assisted-open knife rather than a switchblade (which is outlawed by certain U.S. and international jurisdictions). -
FIG. 2D illustrates thefolding knife 100 ofFIG. 2A in anopen configuration 204. As shown inFIG. 2D , thedrive pin 110 can be located at an opposite end of theclearance slot 154 from its initial starting point. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 2D , a portion of thebutton top 134 can be sunk into thehandle top 166 when thefolding knife 100 is in theopen configuration 204. Thespring 138 can pull thetoggle component 132 in a counterclockwise rotational direction when thefolding knife 100 is in theopen configuration 204. -
FIGS. 2B, 2C, and 2D also show that thetang 106 of theblade 102 can be a partial tang. The partial tang can rotate in between the firstinner handle side 116 and the secondinner handle side 118 when theblade 102 rotates in the bladerotational direction 202. In one or more embodiments, the partial tang can rotate in between the firstinner handle side 116 and the secondinner handle side 118 without the partial tang protruding from thehandle top 166. -
FIG. 2E illustrates another embodiment of thefolding knife 100 with thebutton top 134 of thetoggle component 132 below thehandle top 166 or obscured by thehandle top 166 in response to a user pressing on thebutton top 134. For example, a user can press on thebutton top 134 of thetoggle component 132 to deploy theblade 102. Thebutton top 134 of thetoggle component 132 can be below or obscured by thehandle top 166 when the spring pulls thetoggle component 132 in a second rotational direction 502 (seeFIG. 5 ). Thespring 138 can pull thetoggle component 132 in the secondrotational direction 502 when thetoggle component 132 has passed an over-center position 510 (seeFIG. 5 ). Thetoggle component 132 can be inaccessible to a user of thefolding knife 100 when thebutton top 134 is below or obscured by thehandle top 166. - Once the
button top 134 is below thehandle top 166, thetoggle component 132 can rotate in a first rotational direction 500 (seeFIG. 5 ) to return thetoggle component 132 to its original position when theblade 102 is folded back into the blade cavity 300 (SeeFIG. 3 ). When the blade is folded back into theblade cavity 300, thedrive pin 110 of theblade 102 can push back on thetoggle component 132, including the retainingnotch 150 of thetoggle component 132, thetoggle nose 136, or a combination thereof to rotate thetoggle component 132 in the firstrotational direction 500. Thebutton top 134 can once again be accessible to the user of thefolding knife 100 when thetoggle component 132 is being pulled by thespring 138 in the firstrotational direction 500. -
FIG. 3 illustrates a top plan view of thefolding knife 100 ofFIG. 1 in an assembled state.FIG. 3 shows that the firstinner handle side 116 can be spaced apart from the secondinner handle side 118 and define ablade cavity 300 in between the firstinner handle side 116 and the secondinner handle side 118. Moreover,FIG. 3 shows that thetoggle component 132 and thespring 138 can be housed in between the firstouter handle side 114 and the firstinner handle side 116. - Although not shown in
FIG. 3 , it is contemplated by this disclosure that thefolding knife 100 can comprise a liner lock coupled to the firstinner handle side 116 or the secondinner handle side 118. The liner lock can spring out laterally from the inner handle side when theblade 102 is at least partially deployed from theblade cavity 300 and a tip or end of the liner lock can contact or jam against thetang 106 of theblade 102 to lock theblade 102 into place when thefolding knife 100 is in theopen configuration 204. -
FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up side view of the assisted-open mechanism of thefolding knife 100 ofFIG. 1 in an assembled state. The assisted-open mechanism can comprise, but is not limited to, thetoggle component 132, thespring 138, thepivot pin 148, thedrive pin 110, theclearance slot 154, the lockingslide bar 128, and the lockingslide pin 130. -
FIG. 4 also illustrates that thespring 138 can have at least onecoiled segment 400, thearcuate segment 140, and one or more straight segments. Thespring 138 can be coupled to thetoggle component 132 at thetoggle site 144. Thespring 138 can be coupled to thetoggle site 144 at one end of thespring 138. Thespring 138 can also be coupled to the firstinner handle side 116 at the firstinner handle site 142. The spring can be coupled to the firstinner handle site 142 at the other end of thespring 138. -
FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic of thetoggle component 132 and thespring 138 of the assisted-open mechanism in operation. Thespring 138 can pull thetoggle component 132 in a first rotational direction 500 (e.g., a clockwise direction when viewed in the direction of the firstinner handle side 116 from the first outer handle side 114) when thefolding knife 100 is in the foldedconfiguration 200. As shown inFIG. 5 , thespring 138 can have alongitudinal axis 508. Thelongitudinal axis 508 can be a line running along a length of thespring 138 and used to orient thespring 138. When thespring 138 is connected to thetoggle component 132 and the firstinner handle side 116, thelongitudinal axis 508 can be a line running from the firstinner handle site 142 to thetoggle site 144. As seen in the figures, thearcuate segment 140 of thespring 138 can be below the longitudinal axis 508 (when viewed in the direction of the firstinner handle side 116 from the first outer handle side 114). Also, when thefolding knife 100 is in the foldedconfiguration 200, thelongitudinal axis 508 can be above thepivot pin 148 when thespring 138 is pulling thetoggle component 132 in the firstrotational direction 500. Thearcuate segment 140 of thespring 138 allows thespring 138 to pull thetoggle component 132 in the first rotational direction 500 (e.g., a clockwise direction when viewed in the direction of the firstinner handle side 116 from the first outer handle side 114) without thespring 138 being hindered by thepivot pin 148. Thearcuate segment 140 of thespring 138 can partially surround or encompass thepivot pin 148 when thespring 138 pulls thetoggle component 132 in the firstrotational direction 500. - As shown in
FIG. 5 , thetoggle component 132, when pulled by thespring 138, can also have anover-center position 510. Theover-center position 510 can be a point along the rotational trajectory of thetoggle component 132 where thespring 138 pulls thetoggle component 132 in a second rotational direction 502 (e.g., a counterclockwise direction when viewed in the direction of the firstinner handle side 116 from the first outer handle side 114) rather than the firstrotational direction 500. In one embodiment, theover-center position 510 can be represented by a line extending from the firstinner handle site 142 to thepivot pin 148. - The
spring 138 can pull thetoggle component 132 in the secondrotational direction 502 when thelongitudinal axis 508 of thespring 138 falls below theover-center position 510 when viewed in the direction of the firstinner handle side 116 from the firstouter handle side 114. Thespring 138 can pull thetoggle component 132 in the secondrotational direction 502 when thefolding knife 100 is in theopen configuration 204. In these embodiments, the secondrotational direction 502 can be counter to the firstrotational direction 500. - The
spring 138 can automatically switch from pulling thetoggle component 132 in the firstrotational direction 500 to pulling thetoggle component 132 in the secondrotational direction 502 when thetoggle component 132 passes theover-center position 510 in response to a force applied to thebutton top 134 by a user of thefolding knife 100 in the direction of thehandle bottom 168. For example, the user can apply a force in adownward direction 506 as shown inFIG. 5 . Once thetoggle component 132 passes theover-center position 510, the force of thespring 138 pulling on thetoggle site 144 in the second rotational direction 502 (e.g., counterclockwise) is translated by thetoggle nose 136 into a pushing force on thedrive pin 110 to rotate theblade 102 in the blade rotational direction 202 (e.g., clockwise). - For example, a user can press or push on the
button top 134 of thetoggle component 132 to initiate the deployment of theblade 102. In response to a force being applied in thedownward direction 506, thetoggle component 132 can cause theblade 102 to rotate to approximately 21 degrees from a starting position parallel to the longitudinal axis of thefolding knife 100. Once theblade 102 is rotated to 21 degrees, thespring 138 can take over and pull thetoggle component 132 in the secondrotational direction 502. The pulling of thetoggle component 132 in the secondrotational direction 502 can cause theblade 102 to rotate to approximately 45 degrees from a starting position parallel to the longitudinal axis of thefolding knife 100. Once theblade 102 is rotated to approximately 45 degrees, the user can use thethumb stud 108 or apply a force to theblade 102 to rotate the blade to theopen configuration 204. -
FIG. 6 illustrates afolding utility tool 600 in one or more embodiments. Thefolding utility tool 600 can include ahandle 104 comprising a firstinner handle side 116 spaced apart from a second inner handle side 118 (seeFIGS. 1 and 3 ). The firstinner handle side 116 and the secondinner handle side 118 can define a tool cavity in between the two handle sides. Atool arm 602 can be pivotally connected to thehandle 104. Thetool arm 602 can have adrive pin 110 connected to and extending or projecting out from a side of thetool arm 602. Atoggle component 132 can be pivotally connected to at least one of the two handle sides at apivot pin 148. Thetoggle component 132 can have a retainingnotch 150 defined along an edge of thetoggle component 132. - The
folding utility tool 600 can include aspring 138 having an arcuate or arc-like segment 140 or a bended segment along alongitudinal axis 508 of thespring 138. Thespring 138 can be coupled to at least one of the two handle sides at a firstinner handle site 142 at one end of thespring 138 and the toggle component at atoggle site 144 at the other end of thespring 138. Thespring 138 can be a tension spring comprising at least onecoiled segment 140, thearcuate segment 140, and one or more straight segments. Thedrive pin 110 of thetool arm 602 can be positioned within the retainingnotch 150 when at least part of thetool arm 602 is folded into the tool cavity. - The
folding utility tool 600 can also include aclearance slot 154 defined along the first inner handle side 116 (seeFIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 4 ) and part of the drive pin can project through the clearance slot. The toggle component can also include abutton top 134. Thetoggle component 132 can rotate in a toggle rotational direction 504 (e.g., a counterclockwise direction) in response to a force applied to thebutton top 134 by a user of thefolding utility tool 600 in the direction of thehandle bottom 166. Thetool arm 602 can be deployed out of the tool cavity in an arm rotational direction 606 (e.g., a clockwise direction) in response to the rotation of thetoggle component 132. The togglerotational direction 504 can be counter to the armrotational direction 606. Thedrive pin 110 can move within theclearance slot 154 as thetool arm 602 is rotated. The retainingnotch 150 can be defined in part by atoggle nose 136 of thetoggle component 132 and thetool arm 602 can be deployed when thetoggle nose 136 actuates or biases thedrive pin 110 of thetool arm 602 when thetoggle component 132 is rotated in the togglerotational direction 504. - The
spring 138 can pull thetoggle component 132 in a first rotational direction 500 (e.g., a clockwise direction, seeFIG. 5 ) when thefolding utility tool 600 is in a folded configuration 200 (seeFIG. 2A ). Thespring 138 can also pull thetoggle component 132 in a second rotational direction 502 (e.g., a counterclockwise direction, seeFIG. 5 ) when thefolding utility tool 600 is in an open configuration 204 (seeFIG. 2D ). In these embodiments, the firstrotational direction 500 can be counter to the secondrotational direction 502. Thespring 138 can pull thetoggle component 132 in the secondrotational direction 502 when thetoggle component 132 passes an over-center position 510 (seeFIG. 5 ) in response to a force applied to thebutton top 134 by a user of thefolding utility tool 600 in the direction of thehandle bottom 166. Thearcuate segment 140 of thespring 138 can partially surround or encompass thepivot pin 148 when thespring 138 pulls thetoggle component 132 in the firstrotational direction 500. - The
handle 104 can further include at least one outer handle side 114 (seeFIG. 1 ). The toggle component can be positioned in between theouter handle side 114 and the firstinner handle side 116. - The
folding utility tool 600 can include atool head 604 coupled to thetool arm 602. Thetool head 604 can include a part of a screwdriver, a fork, a spoon, a toothpick, a flossing tool, a corkscrew, a bottle opener, a file, a saw, or a can opener. Thetool head 604 can be folded into the tool cavity when thefolding utility tool 600 is in the foldedconfiguration 200. - The
folding utility tool 600 can further include alocking slide bar 128 coupled to alocking slide pin 130. The lockingslide pin 130 can prevent thetoggle component 132 from rotating when the lockingslide pin 130 contacts and pushes against a locking notch 152 (seeFIG. 1 ) defined along an edge of thetoggle component 132. - The
folding knife 100 of the present disclosure provides a technological advancement in the safe operation of assisted-open folding knives. For example, thetoggle component 132 permits a user to press on thebutton top 134 of thetoggle component 132 to deploy theblade 102 of thefolding knife 100. The user is no long required to fumble with theblade 102 or thetang 106 of theblade 102 in order to actuate the assisted-open mechanism. - The
folding knife 100 of the present disclosures also provides a more intuitive design for assisted-open folding knives. A user who has never used thefolding knife 100 can quickly figure out that theblade 102 of thefolding knife 100 can be deployed by pressing down on thebutton top 134 of thetoggle component 132. - A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments. Elements of systems, devices and methods shown with any embodiment are exemplary for the specific embodiment and can be used in combination or otherwise on other embodiments within this disclosure. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims and the specification and/or drawings may be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
Claims (10)
1. A folding utility tool, comprising:
a handle comprising at least two handle sides spaced apart and defining a tool cavity therebetween;
a tool arm pivotally connected to the handle, wherein the tool arm comprises a drive pin connected to and extending out from a side of the tool arm;
a toggle component pivotally connected to at least one of the at least two handle sides, wherein the toggle component comprises a retaining notch; and
a spring comprising an arcuate segment along a longitudinal axis of the spring, wherein the spring is coupled to at least one of the at least two handle sides at one end and the toggle component at another end, wherein the drive pin is positioned within the retaining notch when at least part of the tool arm is folded into the tool cavity.
2. The folding utility tool of claim 1 , further comprising:
a clearance slot defined along at least one of the at least two handle sides and at least part of the drive pin projects through the clearance slot; and
the toggle component further comprises a button top, wherein the toggle component rotates in a toggle rotational direction in response to a force applied to the button top toward a handle bottom and the tool arm is deployed out of the tool cavity in an arm rotational direction in response to the rotation of the toggle component, and wherein the toggle rotational direction is counter to the arm rotational direction.
3. The folding utility tool of claim 2 , wherein the retaining notch is defined in part by a toggle nose of the toggle component and the tool arm is deployed when the toggle nose actuates the drive pin of the tool arm when the toggle component is rotated in the toggle rotational direction.
4. The folding utility tool of claim 1 , wherein the spring pulls the toggle component in a first rotational direction when the folding utility tool is in a folded configuration and the spring pulls the toggle component in a second rotational direction when the folding utility tool is in an open configuration, and wherein the first rotational direction is counter to the second rotational direction.
5. The folding utility tool of claim 4 , wherein the spring pulls the toggle component in the second rotational direction when the toggle component passes an over-center position.
6. The folding utility tool of claim 4 , wherein the arcuate segment of the spring partially surrounds the pivot pin when the spring pulls the toggle component in the first rotational direction.
7. The folding utility tool of claim 1 , wherein the spring is a tension spring.
8. The folding utility tool of claim 1 , wherein the handle further comprises at least one outer handle side and the at least two handle sides are inner handle sides and the toggle component is positioned in between the at least one outer handle side and one of the inner handle sides.
9. The folding utility tool of claim 1 , further comprising a tool head coupled to the tool arm, wherein the tool head comprises a part of at least one of a screwdriver, a fork, a spoon, a toothpick, a flossing tool, a corkscrew, a bottle opener, and a can opener.
10. The folding utility tool of claim 1 , further comprising a locking slide bar coupled to a locking slide pin, wherein the locking slide pin prevents the toggle component from rotating when the locking slide pin contacts a locking notch defined along an edge of the toggle component.
Priority Applications (1)
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US15/364,094 US20170341243A1 (en) | 2016-05-26 | 2016-11-29 | Knife with push button assisted-open mechanism |
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US15/364,094 US20170341243A1 (en) | 2016-05-26 | 2016-11-29 | Knife with push button assisted-open mechanism |
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US15/364,094 Abandoned US20170341243A1 (en) | 2016-05-26 | 2016-11-29 | Knife with push button assisted-open mechanism |
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US20230380615A1 (en) * | 2020-06-15 | 2023-11-30 | Joelle Mertzel | Utensil for mounting on a container and folding for minimizing storage space of the container and utensil combination |
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TWI823979B (en) * | 2018-08-07 | 2023-12-01 | 美商Gbⅱ公司 亦以哥倫比亞河流刀具及工具公司名稱營業 | Folding knife with locking linkage assembly |
USD870532S1 (en) | 2018-08-22 | 2019-12-24 | Microtech Knives, Inc. | Switchblade |
TWM576447U (en) * | 2018-11-08 | 2019-04-11 | 張鐀方 | Dental floss type tooth cleaning device |
CN210044162U (en) * | 2018-11-12 | 2020-02-11 | 张鐀方 | Dental floss type tooth cleaning device |
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USD889238S1 (en) | 2019-05-23 | 2020-07-07 | Microtech Knives, Inc. | Pocket knife |
USD898541S1 (en) | 2019-06-24 | 2020-10-13 | Microtech Knives, Inc. | Pocket knife |
US10737401B1 (en) | 2019-10-24 | 2020-08-11 | Microtech Knives, Inc. | Switchblade |
US10751890B1 (en) | 2019-11-05 | 2020-08-25 | Microtech Knives, Inc. | Folding knife |
US10894329B1 (en) | 2019-12-02 | 2021-01-19 | Microtech Knives, Inc. | Switchblade |
US11633867B1 (en) | 2022-05-25 | 2023-04-25 | Microtech Knives, Inc. | Folding knife |
US11639006B1 (en) | 2022-09-23 | 2023-05-02 | Microtech Knives, Inc. | Pocket knife |
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- 2016-05-26 US US15/165,859 patent/US9573282B1/en active Active
- 2016-11-29 US US15/364,094 patent/US20170341243A1/en not_active Abandoned
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2017
- 2017-04-26 CN CN201720450928.9U patent/CN206883682U/en not_active Withdrawn - After Issue
- 2017-04-26 CN CN201710280979.6A patent/CN107214734B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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Cited By (5)
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---|---|---|---|---|
US11135730B1 (en) * | 2018-01-24 | 2021-10-05 | Rexford Knives, LLC | Switch lock apparatus |
US11787073B1 (en) * | 2018-01-24 | 2023-10-17 | Rexford Knives, LLC | Switch lock apparatus |
US20200047356A1 (en) * | 2018-08-10 | 2020-02-13 | William R. Tuch | Switchblades |
US10953556B2 (en) * | 2018-08-10 | 2021-03-23 | William R. Tuch | Switchblades |
US20230380615A1 (en) * | 2020-06-15 | 2023-11-30 | Joelle Mertzel | Utensil for mounting on a container and folding for minimizing storage space of the container and utensil combination |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US9573282B1 (en) | 2017-02-21 |
CN107214734B (en) | 2019-01-15 |
CN206883682U (en) | 2018-01-16 |
CN107214734A (en) | 2017-09-29 |
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Legal Events
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: NEPTUNE TRADING INC., CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SHEAHAN, GRAEME;REEL/FRAME:040456/0724 Effective date: 20160524 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |