Patent ID: 7086157
Filing Date: 2006-08-08
Classification: B26B

Abstract:
1. A folding knife comprising: a handle defining a blade cavity; a blade having a first end which is pivotably coupled to the handle about a pivot and a second end which includes a sharpened edge, the blade pivoting about the pivot between a retracted position where the blade is substantially within the blade cavity and an extended position where the blade is substantially outside of the blade cavity, the blade having a detent formed therein on a lower edge thereof proximate to the pivot; and a biasing element disposed within the blade cavity of the handle, the biasing element having a fixed first end and an opposing free second end which has a profile, wherein as the blade is closed towards the retracted position, the blade deflects the second end of the biasing element until the profile of the second end engages and is retained within the blade detent, resulting in the blade being held in the retracted position, and wherein as the blade is pivotably opened, the profile of the second end becomes disengaged from the detent and energy stored in the deflected biasing element is released and directed into a biasing force that pivots the blade towards the extended position, thereby assisting a user in opening the blade.