Abstract:
A folding knife is disclosed. The folding knife includes a handle; a blade pivotally connected to the handle in a manner allowing pivoting of the blade between a closed position in which the blade extends along the handle, and an open position in which the blade extends away from the handle, wherein the blade includes a tang having a first locking element; a second locking element disposed within the handle; and a third locking element configured to move between a locking position in which the third locking element engages the first locking element and the second locking element in a manner preventing pivoting of the blade relative to the handle, and an unlocking position in which the blade is free to pivot from the closed position to the open position, wherein the third locking element is configured to move free from a bias element.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/516,347 entitled “Folding Knife With Safety Lock,” filed Oct. 31, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The present disclosure relates generally to a folding knife, and particularly to a folding knife with a locking mechanism.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Folding knives enjoy wide popularity, particularly among sportsmen, campers, hikers, and many others engaged in outdoor activities. Common elements to folding knives include a handle and a blade pivotally connected to an end of the handle so that the blade pivots with respect to the handle between an open position in which the blade is extended away from the handle, and a closed position in which the blade is at least partially received within the handle. Many folding knives also include a locking mechanism to maintain the blade in the open position and/or the closed position.  
         [0004]     Examples of folding knives, including folding knives with locking mechanisms, may be found in may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,454,665; 1,743,022; 4,040,081; 4,173,068; 4,404,748; 4,451,982; 4,502,221; 4,719,700; 4,805,303; 4,811,486; 4,837,932; 4,893,409; 4,974,323; 4,979,301; 5,044,079; 5,060,379; 5,095,624; 5,111,581; 5,293,690; 5,325,588; 5,331,741; 5,425,175; 5,502,895; 5,515,610; 5,537,750; 5,546,662; 5,596,808; 5,615,484; 5,685,079; 5,689,885; 5,692,304; 5,737,841; 5,755,035; 5,802,722; 5,822,866; 5,826,340; 5,887,347; 5,964,036; 6,079,106; 6,154,965; 6,338,431; 6,378,214; 6,427,335; 6,438,848; 6,490,797; D348,599, and D373,296; and U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2002/0157260 and 2003/0070299, the entire disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     One embodiment provides a folding knife. The folding knife includes a handle; a blade pivotally connected to the handle in a manner allowing pivoting of the blade between a closed position in which the blade extends along the handle, and an open position in which the blade extends away from the handle, wherein the blade includes a tang having a first locking element; a second locking element disposed within the handle; and a third locking element configured to move between a locking position in which the third locking element engages at least part of the first locking element and at least part of the second locking element in a manner preventing pivoting of the blade relative to the handle, and an unlocking position in which the blade is free to pivot from the closed position to the open position, wherein the third locking element is configured to move free from a bias element. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]      FIG. 1  is side view of a folding knife incorporating an example of a locking mechanism.  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  is a front plan view of the folding knife of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the knife in  FIG. 1 , shown without a handle side panel and a spacer to illustrate the locking mechanism.  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the folding knife of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the folding knife of  FIG. 1  taken along line  5 - 5  illustrating the locking mechanism in a locked position.  
         [0011]      FIG. 6  is the same view as  FIG. 5  illustrating the locking mechanism in an unlocked position.  
         [0012]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of a folding knife with another example of a locking mechanism.  
         [0013]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the folding knife of  FIG. 1  taken along line  8 - 8  illustrating the locking mechanism shown in  FIG. 7  in a locked position.  
         [0014]      FIG. 9  is the same view as  FIG. 8  illustrating the locking mechanism in an unlocked position. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]      FIGS. 1-2  depict an embodiment of a folding knife  20  having a blade  22 , a handle  24  defining a blade-receiving channel  26 , and a locking mechanism  28 . Blade  22  includes a tang  22   a  pivotally connected to an end  24   a  of handle  24 . The blade may be generally planar and may pivot with respect to the handle about a pivot axis P between an open position O and a closed position C. In the open position, the blade extends away from the handle, where it is deployed and ready for use. From the open position, the blade may be folded towards the handle, pivoting about pivot axis P, into the closed position, in that position the blade may be at least partially received for storage within blade-receiving channel  26 . In the closed position, blade  22  extends at least partially along handle  24 .  
         [0016]     Handle  24  may include a pivot-end portion  24   a,  an opposing-end portion  24   b,  and first and second handle sides  24   c  and  24   d,  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Tang  22   a  of blade  22  may be pivotally connected to handle  24  at pivot-end portion  24   a.  One or both of handle sides  24   c  and  24   d  also may include a respective handle side panel, such as opposite handle side panels  30  and  32 . Handle side panels  30  and  32  may be any suitable shape or structure and may be configured to provide locations for various components internal to handle  24  and/or to provide access to those various components.  
         [0017]     Additionally, handle  24  may include one or more handle liners (not shown), which may be any suitable shape or structure and may conform to the shape of handle side panels  30  and  32 . Although the knife discussed and shown in  FIGS. 1-2  includes two handle side panels, any suitable combination and configuration of handle side panels and liners may be used. Furthermore, handle  24  may include one or more spacers  36  shown in  FIG. 4 , which may be any suitable shape or structure and may conform to the shape of handle side panels  30  and  32 . Although the knife discussed and shown in  FIGS. 1-4  includes one spacer, any suitable number of spacers may be used.  
         [0018]     Locking mechanism  28  may include a first locking element  40 , a second locking element  41 , and a third locking element  42 . First locking element  40  may include any structure configured to be engaged by third locking element  42  and selectively lock blade  22  in the closed position and/or open position. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , the first locking element may be in the form of a hole  44 .  
         [0019]     Although first locking element  40  is discussed as including a hole on tang  22   a  of blade  22 , any suitable structure configured to interact with at least part of third locking element  42  to selectively lock blade  22  in the closed position and/or the open position may be used, such as latching elements, locking cutouts, notches, or mechanical, magnetic, or electronic devices, or the like. Additionally, although first locking element  40  is shown to include one hole  44 , the first locking element may include two or more holes to selectively lock blade  22  in different positions.  
         [0020]     Second locking element  41  may include any structure configured to be engaged by third locking element  42  to selectively lock blade  22  in the closed position and/or the open position. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , the second locking element may include a recess  34  within handle  24 . Although second locking element  41  is discussed as including a recess  34  within handle  24 , any suitable structure configured to interact with at least part of third locking element  42  to selectively lock blade  22  in the open and/or closed position may be used, such as latching elements, locking cutouts, notches, or mechanical, magnetic, or electronic devices, or the like.  
         [0021]     Third locking element  42  may include any structure configured to engage at least part of first locking element  40  and at least part of second locking element  41  to selectively lock blade  22  in the closed position and/or the open position. For example, shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , third locking element  42  may include a ball bearing  46 . The ball bearing may engage or be disposed within recess  34  of handle  24 . Third locking element  42  may move within slot  34  between a locking position L and an unlocking position U, the unlocking position being spaced further from first locking element  40  compared to the locking position. The second locking element may move along any suitable line or plane configured to allow it to engage at least part of first locking element  40 . For example, third locking element  42  may move along a motion line M parallel to pivot axis P or transverse to the plane of the blade travel.  
         [0022]     Although third locking element  42  is shown to be disposed within or engage first locking element  40  when the third locking element is in unlocking position U, third locking element  42  may alternatively engage or be disposed within second locking element  41  when the third locking element is in unlocking position U. For example, ball bearing  46  may be disposed within hole  44  of blade  22  when the ball bearing is in unlocking position U.  
         [0023]     The third locking element may move between locking position L and unlocking position U free or without any bias element. Alternatively, a bias element (not shown) may urge third locking element  42  toward the locking position and/or the unlocking position. Although third locking element  42  is shown to include a ball bearing, any suitable structure configured to engage at least part of first locking element  40  and at least part of second locking element  41  to selectively lock blade  22  in the closed position and/or the open position may be used, such as latches or hooks, or mechanical, magnetic, or electronic devices, or the like.  
         [0024]     Locking mechanism  28  also may include a follower member  48 , which may include any suitable structure configured to move third locking element  42  between the locking position and the unlocking position. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , follower member  48  may be in the form of a follower plate  50 . The follower plate may be mounted for sliding movement in recess  34  of handle side panel  30  between a first position F and a second position S. In the first position, follower plate  50  moves third locking element  42 , or allows third locking element  42  to move, into locking position L. In the second position, follower plate  50  moves third locking element  42 , or allows third locking element  42  to move, into unlocking position U.  
         [0025]     Follower plate  50  may include a contacting end portion  52  configured to contact third locking element  42  and move that element between the locking and the unlocking positions. For example, contacting end portion  52  may include an inclined surface  54  configured to move the third locking element, such as ball bearing  46 , between locking position L and unlocking position U, as the follower plate is moved between the first position and the second position.  
         [0026]     The follower plate also may include an actuator  56  manipulable from outside handle  24 . The actuator may include any suitable structure configured to allow a user to slide follower plate  50  between the first position and the second position. For example, actuator  56  may be in the form of a screw  58 , which allows the user to selectively slide follower plate  50  from outside handle  22 . Additionally, actuator  56  may secure follower plate  50  within slot  34  of handle  22 .  
         [0027]     Although follower member  48  is shown to include a specific shape and structure, any suitable shape and structure may be used configured to move third locking element  42  between the locking position and the unlocking position. Additionally, although follower member  48  is shown to be slidingly mounted on handle  22 , the follower member may be pivotally mounted or mounted in any other suitable way configured to move third locking element  42  between the locking position and the unlocking position. Furthermore, although follower member  48  is shown to move third locking element  42 , the follower member may not be included in some embodiments of folding knife  20 . For example, third locking element  42  may be configured to be manipulable from outside the handle or the blade such that the user may move the third locking element between the locking position and the unlocking position without the follower member.  
         [0028]     An alternative embodiment of folding knife  20  is shown in  FIG. 7 . The illustrated folding knife may selectively include any of the elements, subelements, and variations as the other folding knives illustrated, described, or incorporated herein. Similar to the previously discussed embodiment, the illustrated folding knife may include a blade  122 , a handle  124  partially received within blade-receiving channel  126 , and a locking mechanism  128 . Handle  124  may include one or more handle side panels, such as handle side panels  130  and  132 , and one or more spacers, such as a spacer  136 .  
         [0029]     Locking mechanism  128  may include a first locking element  140  and a second locking element  142 , as shown in  FIGS. 7-9 . First locking element  140  may include any structure configured to engage second locking element  142  and lock blade  122  in the closed and/or open position. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , the first locking element may be in the form of a hole  144  on a tang  122   a  of blade  122 . Although first locking element  140  is discussed as including a hole on the tang of blade  122 , any suitable structure configured to interact with at least part of second locking element  142  to selectively lock blade  122  in the open and/or closed position may be used, such as latching elements, locking cutouts, notches, or mechanical, magnetic, or electronic devices, or the like.  
         [0030]     Second locking element  142  may include any structure configured to lock blade  122  in the open position and/or the closed position. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , the second locking element may include a ball bearing  146  disposed within a slot  134  of handle side panel  130  of handle  124 . Second locking element  142  may move within slot  134  between a locking position L and an unlocking position U, the unlocking position being spaced further from first locking element  140  compared to the locking position. The second locking element may move along any suitable line or plane configured to allow it to engage at least part of first locking element  140 . For example, second locking element  142  may move along a motion line M parallel to pivot axis P. Although second locking element  142  is shown to include a ball bearing, any suitable structure configured to engage at least part of first locking element  140  and selectively lock blade  122  in the open and/or closed position may be used, such as latches or hooks, or mechanical, magnetic, or electronic devices, or the like.  
         [0031]     Locking mechanism  128  also may include a bias element  160 , which includes any suitable structure configured to urge second locking element  142  toward unlocking position U or locking position L. For example, a leaf spring  162  may be formed from a liner  138  of handle  124 . Second locking element  142  may be mounted on or attached to an end  164  of the leaf spring. End  164  may include a receiving portion  166 , which may include any suitable shape or structure configured to receive second locking element  142 . For example, the receiving portion may be in the form of a dimple  168  to receive second locking element  142 . Alternatively, end  164  of the leaf spring may include a hole or any other suitable structure configured to hold second locking element  142  and/or to urge the second locking element to the locking position or the unlocking position.  
         [0032]     Although bias element  160  is shown to be in the form of a leaf spring, the bias element may be of any suitable type of bias element configured to urge second locking element  142  towards the unlocking position or the locking position, such as wire springs, coil springs, music wire, or other resilient material or structure. Additionally, although second locking element  142  is shown to be mounted on or attached to end  164  of leaf spring  162 , the second locking element may not be mounted on or attached to the end of the leaf spring.  
         [0033]     The locking mechanism also may include a follower member  148 , which may include any suitable structure configured to move second locking element  142  between the locking position and the unlocking position. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , follower member  148  may be in the form of a follower plate  150 . The follower plate may be mounted for sliding movement in slot  134  of handle side panel  130  between a first position F and a second position S. In the first position, follower plate  150  moves end  164 , or allows end  164  to move via bias element  160 , which moves second locking element  142  into locking position L. In the second position, follower plate  150  moves end  164 , or allows end  164  to move via bias element  160 , into unlocking position U.  
         [0034]     Follower plate  150  may include a contacting end portion  152  configured to contact end  164  of bias element  160  thereby moving the second locking element between the locking and the unlocking positions. For example, contacting end portion  152  may include an inclined surface  154  configured to move end  164  of bias element  160 , thereby moving ball bearing  146  between locking position L and unlocking position U, as the follower plate is moved between the first position and the second position.  
         [0035]     The follower plate also may include an actuator  156  manipulable from outside handle  124  and may include any suitable structure configured to allow a user to slide follower plate  150  between the first position and the second position. For example, actuator  156  may be in the form of a screw  158 , which allows the user to selectively slide follower plate  150  from outside handle  122 . Additionally, actuator  156  may secure follower plate  150  within slot  134  of handle  122 .  
         [0036]     Although follower member  148  is shown to include a specific shape and structure, any suitable shape and structure may be used configured to move second locking element  142  between the locking position and the unlocking position U. Additionally, although follower member  148  is shown to be slidingly mounted on handle  122 , the follower member may be pivotally mounted or mounted in any other suitable way configured to move second locking element  142  between the locking position and the unlocking position U. Furthermore, although follower member  148  is shown to move end  164  of bias element  160  thereby moving second locking element  142 , the follower member may be configured to move the second locking element directly.  
         [0037]     Although the folding knives and features of folding knives has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing operational principles and preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will find apparent that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. The present disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variances that fall within the scope of the appended claims.