Patent ID: 6289592
Filing Date: 2001-09-18
Classification: B26B

Abstract:
A folding knife with means for releasably retaining a blade in a closed position, which comprises:an elongated handle having first and second ends and comprising two spaced side plates;said side plates forming a slot for receiving a knife blade in a closed position;a knife blade;pivot means at one end of said knife blade for allowing rotation of said knife blade about an axis at said first handle end;a first slit having a generally U-shaped configuration in a first of said side plates forming an elongated tab having a free end and a fixed end;said tab having said free end overlapping a knife blade portion;projecting means comprising a hard metal ball secured to said tab free end;said ball being positioned in a hole through said tab, said hole including a slit integral with and extending away from said hole and said ball being held in said hole by metal dislodged when metal along said slit is deformed;a cavity in said knife blade portion aligned with said projecting means when said knife blade is in a closed position extending at least partially between said side plates;said elongated tab bent out of the plane of said first side plate toward said knife blade portion to bias said extension means toward and into said cavity;whereby said knife blade is releasably latched in said closed position when said projecting means engages said cavity.