Patent ID: 6276063
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: B26B

Abstract:
A folding knife, comprising:a handle including a first handle cover having a recess formed therein, the recess having a through hole therein, said handle further including a second handle cover;a blade having a rear end surface;a washer disposed between said first handle cover and said blade, said washer having a hole disposed below the through hole, the hole in said washer being diametrically smaller than the through hole;a blade lock, a portion of said blade lock forming a leaf spring having a free end;a pivot pin extending through said first handle cover in a region of the recess, and extending through said second handle cover, said blade and said blade lock, said blade being pivotal about said pivot pin between a folded position in which said blade is disposed in said handle, and an extended position in which said blade is out of said handle; wherein the free end of said blade lock is inclined toward said blade such that when said blade is turned to the extended position the free end of said leaf spring abuts against the rear end surface of said blade to prevent said blade from moving and thereby locking said blade in said extended position, and when said leaf spring is depressed, said leaf spring disengages from the rear end surface of said blade thereby allowing said blade to turn to said folded position in said handle; anda safety for said blade that is provided on said handle, said safety including at least a finger-operable slip switch having a configuration matching the recess and being movably received within the recess, said slip switch being selectively movable within the recess between a safety unlock position and a safety lock position, said safety further including a push element received within the through hole, said push element having a stop collar, an upper portion above the stop collar, and a lower lock portion below the stop collar;wherein when said slip switch is in said safety lock position, said slip switch interferes with said push element to cause said push element to move downward so that the lower lock portion engages into at least one locking hole provided at one side of said blade, so that said blade, either in said extended or said folded position, is restricted from moving;wherein said stop collar cooperates with said washer to prevent said push element from moving downward out of the through hole when said slip switch interferes with said push element in the safety lock position; andwherein said upper portion of said push element is provided at a top with an inward curved surface, and said slip switch is provided at the underside of a top surface thereof with a downward projected protuberance, such that when said slip switch is moved to said safety lock position to interfere with said push element, said protuberance engages with said inward curved surface of said push element to depress said push element.