Patent ID: 6990702
Filing Date: 2006-01-31
Classification: B25F,B26B

Abstract:
1. A folding hand tool comprising: (a) a handle in the form of a channel formed of a single piece of sheet metal including a channel base and a pair of sides, said single piece of sheet metal including a latch spring extending from said channel base adjacent an end of said handle; (b) a blade mounted on said handle, adjacent said end, said blade having a blade base mounted for rotation about an axis defined by a pivot shaft attached to said sides, between a folded position and an extended position, said blade base including a cam lobe and a shoulder; (c) said latch spring resting on said cam lobe and thereby being deflected, said latch spring having an outer end and pressure of said spring against said cam lobe urging said blade base to rotate with respect to said axis in a direction toward said extended position and urging said shoulder against said outer end of said spring; (d) said blade base including a substantially flat surface extending from said cam lobe toward said shoulder; and (e) said blade base defining a latch notch between said flat surface and said shoulder, whereby said blade base is held in said extended position by pressure of said spring on said cam lobe and by pressure of said outer end against said shoulder if said spring has no catch, and wherein when said spring has a catch located on said outer end said blade base is also held in said extended position by engagement of said catch in said latch notch.