Abstract:
A folding knife with retractable pocket clip that moves in an arc between retracted and deployed positions generally within the same pivot plane as a pivotally folding blade and whose movement between retracted and deployed positions is coordinated through direct contact with the blade so that the clip is automatically deployed for use as the blade is pivoted into a storage position and automatically retracted when the blade is pivoted to a position for use. The pocket clip is configured to be uniquely sheltered from snagging hazards and to secure the folding knife to a pocket by means of a unique retentive characteristic resulting from localized tension advantageously generated along the pocket edge and maintained by compression exerted upon the body of the knife as it rests within the pocket.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation-In-Part of application Ser. No. 11/466,340 filed Aug. 22, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,112,894. 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/402,688 filed on Sep. 1, 2010. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING GOVERNMENT SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to pocket knives, and more particularly, to a novel non-snagging, automatically deploying and retracting pocket clip for such a knife. 
     Background 
     Clips for retaining a pocket knife onto a pair of pants or pants pocket are known in the art. Generally, such clips are elongated and protrude conspicuously from one side of the object, being rigidly fixed thereto. In the case of a pocket knife, U.S. Design Pat. No. 487,628 exemplifies such a clip. While such a clip does help retain a knife onto an object, such as a pants pocket, it is obtrusive and can snag on items undesirably while deployed in a pocket in the conventional manner; with pocket knife on the inside of the pocket and clip on the outside of the pocket. Such snagging can result in damage to the clip, the pocket and/or the snagged object. 
     The presence of a pocket clip on the side of a knife results in discomfort as the tool is gripped in the hand. Furthermore, the presence of such a clip can be aesthetically objectionable, which is an especially important consideration in the field of folding knives wherein the details of form and style are very important to the commercial success of the product. 
     To overcome these drawbacks retractable clips have been devised. For example, US Patent Application 2002/0153395 to Martinez on Oct. 24, 2002 teaches a belt clip that pivots away from the body of the knife, generally perpendicular to the pivot plane of the blade. U.S. Pat. No. 6,941,604 to Ackeret, on Sep. 13, 2005 teaches a similar retracting clip. One of the fundamental deficiencies of clips so configured is that the space between the clip and the knife necessarily decreases in depth toward the pivot point of the clip. As fabric or other object is moved toward the pivot point, the open-end portion of the clip is forced further from the body of the assembly, the clip invariably protruding at an increasingly pronounced angle away from the assembly, becoming more of an encumbrance than convenience. Also, such clips do not tend to retain the knife to objects well, since such clips necessarily bind the object toward their pivot point specifically and not their distal ends. As a result, the object is pinched only in a small area, and as such, the knife can easily become dislodged if jolted. 
     US Patent Application 2004/0129746 to Lee et al. on Jul. 8, 2004, and US Patent Application 2006/0113985A to Gist et al. on Jun. 1, 2006, both teach belt clips for objects in one case a phone and in the other case an electronic hand tool. These clips overcome some of the disadvantages mentioned heretofore, but still dispose the clip itself to snagging and damage if deployed in a pocket in such a way that the tool is inside the pocket and the clip outside, which is the traditional method of carrying knives equipped with pocket clips. 
     Additional to the aforementioned deficiencies, the cited retractable pocket clips are deployed by an exclusive manual action, the practice of which constitutes an inconvenient prerequisite to the act of securely storing a pocket knife into the pocket. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,451,545 to Voros teaches a retractable pocket clip that is coordinated with the movement of the blade to and from an extended position by means of an actuating linkage between the blade and clip. The disclosed “actuating assembly” involves complication and requires substantial space to one side of the blade in order to contain, necessarily resulting in a an undesirably thick folding knife assembly. There are also several sliding friction surfaces moving within multiple planes necessary to the actuation and guidance of the clip along its rectilinear travel, which is particularly undesirable in a tool that is likely to be fouled with foreign matter during regular use. Furthermore, while either extended or retracted, the presence of such a clip is aesthetically conspicuous which is an important consideration in the field of folding knives wherein the details of form and style are very important to the commercial success of a product. 
     Additionally, like other references mentioned heretofore, the clip is disposed to snagging on objects resulting in damage to such objects and to itself when deployed within a pocket in the aforementioned traditional manner. That is because, when so deployed in a pants pocket, the clip extends outwardly generally perpendicular to the mean exterior surface of the pocket. The clip becomes more prominent still, being necessarily situated directly atop the bulge that is created by the knife when carried in the pants pocket. It is therefore uniquely exposed to snagging hazards and damage during the course of regular deployment within a pants pocket. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the present invention, all the above-stated problems are solved by providing a folding knife with a retractable pocket clip that moves substantially in an arc between retracted and deployed positions generally within the same pivot plane as a pivotally folding blade and whose movement between retracted and deployed positions is coordinated through direct contact with the blade so that the clip is automatically deployed for use as the blade is pivoted into it&#39;s storage position and automatically retracted when the blade is pivoted to a position for use; the pocket clip thereby uniquely disappearing completely within the outer periphery of the knife assembly in the retracted position and extending beyond the outer periphery of the knife assembly in the deployed position generally within the same pivot plane as the blade. 
     At the heart of the present invention, is applicant&#39;s discovery that a pocket clip extending generally within the aforementioned plane is uniquely sheltered from snagging hazards while the knife, so equipped, is worn as customary; with knife in the pocket and clip outside the pocket. With the knife so deployed in the pocket, the clip is substantially below the mean exterior surface of the pocket due to its position relative to the bulge necessarily created by the knife in the pocket. This constitutes a counterintuitive advancement in the art of pocket clips for folding knives. 
     Additionally applicant has discovered and herein discloses a unique and unexpected retentive tendency provided by a clip so configured. In contrast with conventional pocket clips, which bind a knife to a pants pocket edge by pinching spring tension, the knife of the present invention enjoys a retentive tendency generated between the clip and knife as the pocket edge is caused to bend or kink once around the knife and again as it passes under the clip. As a result, localized tension is advantageously generated along the pocket edge and maintained by compression exerted upon the body of the knife as it rests within the pocket. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing, as well as other objects of the present invention, will be further apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, when taken together with the accompanying specification and drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1A  shows a view of the current invention in such condition that the blade is in its storage position and clip consequently deployed for use. 
         FIG. 1B  shows a view of the current invention in such condition that the blade is in its position for use and clip consequently retracted. 
         FIG. 1C  shows a top plan view of the current invention in such condition that the blade is in its storage position. 
         FIG. 2A to 2C  show the first embodiment wherein clip movement is facilitated by flexure, and the interrelationship between blade and clip at different positions of blade rotation are seen. 
         FIG. 3A to 3C  show a second embodiment wherein clip movement is facilitated by fixed pivot and the interrelationship between blade and clip at different positions of blade rotation are seen. 
         FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of the second embodiment wherein clip movement is facilitated by fixed pivot, and further showing biasing member and corresponding recess in rigid member. Also shown are certain elements common to both first and second embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  shows a left-side elevational view of a person carrying the knife of the present invention in a pocket, the clip member in the extended position and engaged in the pocket 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1A to 1C  illustrate a folding knife  5 A ( FIG. 1A ) comprising two rigid members  15  spaced generally parallel to each other thereby forming a channel  4  ( FIG. 1C ). A pivot  35  ( FIG. 1A ,  1 B) is provided that permits the blade  10 A to pivot between a storage position  100  ( FIG. 1A ) and a position for use  105  ( FIG. 1B ) within a pivot plane and about a pivot axis  6  ( FIG. 4 ), the pivot plane being generally perpendicular to pivot axis  6 . 
     It is to be understood that, as used herein, “blade” can refer to a number of items, including a tool, implement, cutting blade, or a holder for such tool, implement or cutting blade, and is not to be limited to the blade depicted in the Figures. 
     The clip  85 A ( FIG. 2B ) of the first embodiment is not readily detachable, being rigidly fixed from an attachment end  110  to at least one rigid member  15  ( FIGS. 2A ,  2 C). In this embodiment, this is accomplished by a fastener  50  which may alternatively be substituted for other attachment means. 
     Clip  85 A includes a flexure portion  40 . In this embodiment, flexure portion  40  is located generally intermediate clip  85 A between attachment end  110  and moving end  115  ( FIG. 2B ) and allows moving end  115  to move substantially in an arc relative to attachment end  110  and substantially within the pivot plane of blade  10 A. 
     Clip  85 A further includes an elongated free end  20  near moving end  115  ( FIGS. 2A to 2C ). Elongated free end  20  is configured to define a space wherein fabric or other material may be inserted. 
       FIGS. 2B and 2C  further show that moving end  115  of clip  85 A features a blade-engagement surface  70 A, the purpose of which is made clear in light of its interaction with pivoting blade  10 A that includes a tang having a clip-engagement surface  45 A ( FIGS. 2B ,  2 C) that extends generally radially outwardly with respect to pivot axis  6  ( FIG. 4 ). Because of this, clip-engagement surface  45 A necessarily displaces clip  85 A as blade  10 A is moved to storage position  100  ( FIG. 2A ) by direct interaction with blade-engagement surface  70 A of clip  85 A ( FIGS. 2B ,  2 C). The result is that elongated free end  20  is projected beyond the outer periphery of rigid members  15  and therefore made available for use, having reached deployed position  90  ( FIG. 2A ). 
       FIGS. 2A to 2C  further show that extension of clip  85 A beyond deployed position  90  is prevented by a boss  130  which projects from clip  85 A, generally perpendicular to the pivot plane. Boss  130  moves within a corresponding slot  135  in at least one rigid member  15  until it collides with the end of slot  135 , preventing further movement in that direction. 
       FIGS. 2A to 2C  further depict flexure portion  40  as configured to provide constant urging force by spring tension to bias moving end  115  of clip  85 A against clip-engagement surface  45 A of blade  10 A. This ensures that as blade  10 A is pivoted to position for use  105  ( FIG. 2C ), clip  85 A moves progressively to retracted position  95 . That is because, relative to blade-engagement surface  70 A of clip  85 A, clip-engagement surface  45 A of blade  10 A recedes generally inwardly with respect to pivot axis  6  as blade  10 A is pivoted toward position for use  105 . 
     In use, clip  85 A automatically moves between retracted position  95  and deployed position  90  generally within the same pivot plane as pivotally folding blade  10 A ( FIGS. 1A to 1C ,  2 A to  2 C). This movement between retracted position  95  and deployed position  90  ( FIGS. 2A ,  2 C) is coordinated with the movement of blade  10 A by direct interaction between blade  10 A and clip  85 A. As a result, elongated free end  20  is automatically deployed for use as blade  10 A is pivoted into storage position  100  and automatically retracted to a point substantially contained between the two rigid members  15  of knife  5 A when blade  10 A is pivoted to position for use  105 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , when clip  85 A is in deployed position  90  ( FIG. 2A ), and an object, such as a pants pocket edge  75 , for example, is positioned between elongated free end  20  and knife  5 A, knife  5 A is retained to the pocket  80  by friction generated from tension. More specifically, a unique retentive tendency is produced between elongated free end  20  and knife  5 A. That is because pocket edge  75  is caused to bend once around knife  5 A and again as it passes under elongated free end  20  ( FIG. 5 ). Localized tension is advantageously generated along pocket edge  75  between elongated free end  20  and knife  5 A and maintained as knife  5 A is held flat in pocket  80  by compression generated between pocket  80  and the body of the user as parts are worn. With knife  5 A so positioned in pocket  80 , such compression from pocket  80  is directed generally perpendicular to the pivot plane of blade  10 A and is the natural result of the presence of knife  5 A within pocket  80 . 
     With knife  5 A so deployed in pocket  80 , free end  20  is sheltered from snagging and abrasion by the bulge  150  created by knife  5 A in pocket  80  while knife  5 A is worn as show in  FIG. 5 . Free end  20  is recessed below the mean outer surface of pocket  80  relative to bulge  150  and is consequently substantially less likely to cause damage to objects that come into contact with the mean outer surface of pocket  80  and bulge  150  while knife  5 A is worn in pants pocket  80 , nor is it so readily inclined to snag disadvantageously upon such objects. 
     Alternatively, clip  85 A may be configured to remain in deployed position  90  ( FIG. 2A ). This may be accomplished by biasing flexure  40  to constantly urge clip  85 A toward deployed position  90 . If desired, clip  85 A may be locked into deployed position  90  by replacing slot  135  in rigid member  15  with a hole (not shown) into which boss  130  may fit and that is positioned concentric with boss  130  while clip  85 A is in deployed position  90 , thus constraining movement of moving end  115 . 
     A second embodiment of the present invention, alternate knife  5 B, is shown in  FIGS. 3A to 3C , and in  FIG. 4 . In this embodiment, alternate clip  85 B is pivotally connected from attachment end  110  to alternate rigid member  125  by means of a rear pivot  30  which permits alternate clip  85 B to pivot between deployed position  90  and retracted position  95  within a pivot plane and about a rear pivot axis  7  ( FIG. 4 ) which is substantially parallel with pivot axis  6  and substantially perpendicular to the pivot plane. Consequently, alternate clip  85 B moves substantially within the same pivot plane as alternate blade  10 B and in an arc relative to attachment end  110  ( FIG. 3A ). It is not configured to be readily detachable from alternate rigid member  125 . 
     Alternate clip  85 B ( FIG. 3A ) is continually urged directly against alternate clip engagement surface  45 B of alternate blade  10 B, which extends generally radially outwardly with respect to pivot axis  6  ( FIG. 4 ), by means of a biasing member  55  ( FIG. 4 ). Biasing member  55  is configured to fit into a recess  60  in alternate rigid member  125  ( FIG. 4 ) and to urge alternative clip  85 B toward retracted position  95  by spring tension so that free end  115  of alternative clip  85 B is continually biased directly against alternate clip engagement surface  45 B of alternate blade  10 B. 
     In use, elongated free end  20  is moved to deployed position  90  as alternate blade  10 B is moved to storage position  100  ( FIG. 3A ). Conversely, as alternate blade  10 B is moved to position for use  105  ( FIG. 3C ), alternate clip  85 B, being constantly urged against alternate clip engagement surface  45 B by biasing member  55 , moves to retracted position  95  as clip engagement surface  45 B recedes generally inwardly with respect to pivot axis  6 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A to 3C , blade engagement surface  70 B may be configured to interact with alternate clip engagement surface  45 B in a manner that alternate clip  85 B will selectively impede pivoting movement of alternate blade  10 B from position for use  105  toward storage position  100  while alternate clip  85 B is in retracted position  95 . 
     While embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described using specific terms, such description is for present illustrative purposes only and it is to be understood that changes and variations to such embodiments, including but not limited to the substitution of equivalent features of parts and the reversal of various features thereof, may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.