Patent ID: 9586328
Date: 2017-03-07
CPC Classifications: B26B,Y10T

Claim:
1. A folding knife comprising: a handle portion comprising first and second, laterally spaced side portions defining a blade-receiving cavity therebetween; a pivot element coupled to the first side portion and defining a pivot axis; a blade pivotably connected to the pivot element of the handle portion and pivotable relative to the handle portion about the pivot axis between a closed position and an open position; and a locking element having a non-circular shape extending from the pivot element, wherein the handle portion comprises a retaining element having a non-circular opening, the retaining element configured to be rotated relative to the first and second side portions of the handle portion without the use of a tool to move the non-circular opening between a first, locking position and a second, release position, wherein when the non-circular opening is in the first position, the non-circular opening is rotationally offset from the locking element, and the locking element blocks lateral movement of the second side portion relative to the first side portion, and wherein when the non-circular opening is in the second position, the non-circular opening is rotationally aligned with the locking element to allow the locking element to be moved through the non-circular opening to permit lateral movement of the second side portion away from the first side portion along the pivot axis.