Pocket knife

A pocket knife includes a chassis and a blade having a retracted position in which the blade is inside the chassis and a deployed position in which at least a portion of the blade is outside of the chassis. A tang of the blade has first and second legs that extend from the tang to define a recess in the tang between the first and second legs. At least a portion of the chassis extends into the recess in the tang between the first and second legs when the blade is in the retracted position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally involves a pocket knife. In particular embodiments, the pocket knife may be a double action, out-the-front configuration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pocket knives provide a convenient tool for cutting that may be easily carried by a user for deployment when desired. For some pocket knife designs, two hands are needed to deploy and retract a blade, while other designs include a spring that assists a user to deploy and/or retract the blade using a single hand. Each design balances the convenience and speed of operation with increased risk associated with inadvertent operation.

The blade generally includes one or more cutting edges and a tang. In an out-the-front pocket knife, the blade has a deployed position and a retracted position. In the deployed position, the cutting edge is outside of a chassis or handle to allow use of the cutting edge as desired, and most if not all of the tang remains inside the chassis to provide stability between the blade and the chassis during use. In the retracted position, the entire blade is inside the chassis or handle to shield the cutting edge from inadvertent contact that might damage the blade or cause harm to personnel or objects. Since the entire blade is inside the chassis or handle in the retracted position, the length and width of the chassis determines the maximum length and width of the blade for the pocket knife.

Several competing design considerations must be balanced for a given chassis size. For example, the cutting edge of the blade is the operative portion of the pocket knife, and for a given chassis size, a blade with a longer cutting edge is generally desirable. For a given chassis size, however, a longer cutting edge results in a shorter tang, and a shorter tang reduces the stability between the blade and the chassis when the blade is deployed. Conversely, a longer tang provides increased stability between the blade and the chassis when the blade is deployed, but a longer tang requires a shorter cutting edge so the entire blade can fit inside the chassis when the blade is retracted. Therefore, the need exists for an improved design that allows for a longer cutting edge without sacrificing the stability provided by the tang.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention is a pocket knife that includes a chassis and a blade having a retracted position in which the blade is inside the chassis and a deployed position in which at least a portion of the blade is outside of the chassis. A tang of the blade has first and second legs that extend from the tang to define a recess in the tang between the first and second legs. At least a portion of the chassis extends into the recess in the tang between the first and second legs when the blade is in the retracted position.

An alternate embodiment of the present invention is a pocket knife that includes a first scale and a second scale opposed to the first scale to define a cavity between the first and second scales. A blade having a cutting edge has a retracted position in which the cutting edge is between the first and second scales and a deployed position in which the cutting edge is outside of the cavity. A tang of the blade has first and second legs that extend from the tang to define a recess in the tang between the first and second legs. At least a portion of at least one of the first or second scales extends into the recess in the tang between the first and second legs when the blade is in the retracted position.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a pocket knife includes a a first scale and a second scale opposed to the first scale to define a cavity between the first and second scales. A blade having a cutting edge has a retracted position in which the cutting edge is between the first and second scales and a deployed position in which the cutting edge is outside of the cavity. A slider, a front operator, and a rear operator are inside the cavity. The slider engages with the front operator to move the blade to the deployed position, and the slider engages with the rear operator to move the blade to the retracted position. A tang of the blade has first and second legs that extend from the tang to define a recess in the tang between the first and second legs. At least a portion of at least one of the first or second scales extends into the recess in the tang between the first and second legs when the blade is in the retracted position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention include a pocket knife that allows for a blade with a longer cutting edge for a given chassis size. For convention of reference, the term “front” shall refer to the end of the pocket knife from which a blade deploys; the term “rear” shall refer to the end of the pocket knife that is opposite from the front; the term “top” shall refer to the side of the pocket knife that houses an actuator for operating the pocket knife; the term “bottom” shall refer to the side of the pocket knife that is opposite from the top; and the terms “left” and “right” shall refer to the opposing sides of the pocket knife that are adjacent to and generally perpendicular to the top and bottom. As used herein, the term “longitudinal” shall refer to the direction between the front and rear of the pocket knife, and the term “radial” shall refer to any direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

FIGS.1and2provide perspective views of a pocket knife10according to one embodiment of the present invention in retracted and deployed positions, respectively, andFIG.3provides an axial cross-section of the pocket knife10shown inFIG.2taken along3-3. As shown inFIGS.1-3, the pocket knife10generally includes a chassis12, a blade14, and an actuator16.

The chassis12provides a frame for supporting the various components associated with the pocket knife10and may be molded, pressed, or machined from plastics, metals, polymers, or any material or combination of materials having the desired strength and durability. The chassis12generally includes a first or left scale18opposed to a second or right scale20, and when assembled together, the first and second scales18,20produce a cavity26(shown inFIG.3) inside the chassis12.

The blade14generally has one or more cutting edges28and can move between retracted and deployed positions. In the retracted position, as shown inFIGS.1and8-10, the cutting edge28is inside of the cavity26or between the first and second scales18,20to shield the cutting edge28from inadvertent contact that might damage the blade14or cause harm to personnel or objects. In the deployed position, as shown inFIGS.2,11, and12, the cutting edge28is outside of the cavity26of the chassis12to allow use of the cutting edge28as desired.

For the embodiment shown inFIGS.1-3, the actuator16is in sliding contact with the chassis12and controls the operation of the pocket knife10. The actuator16has a shut or rear position, shown inFIGS.1,9, and12, that moves the blade14to the retracted position and an open or front position, shown inFIGS.2,10, and11, that moves the blade14to the deployed position.

FIG.4provides an exploded view of the pocket knife10shown inFIGS.1-3. As shown inFIG.4, the rear portion of the blade14generally includes a tang30, and the tang30of the blade14may include a post32and a notch34longitudinally separated from a rear surface36of the blade14. In particular embodiments, the post32may be simply a projection from the tang30, while in other embodiments, as shown inFIG.4, the post32may be a separate part threaded or press-fit into the tang30. The notch34may be on one or both sides of the tang30. The purpose and operation of the post32, notch34, and rear surface36will be described in more detail with respect to operation of the blade14between the retracted and deployed positions as shown inFIGS.9-12.

As shown most clearly inFIG.4, one or more springs38, front and rear operators40,42, front and rear locks44,46, and a slider48may be located inside the cavity26of the chassis12. The springs38connect the front operator40to the rear operator42. Although the front and rear operators40,42shown inFIG.4are identical, they may not be identical in particular embodiments, and the present invention is not limited to identical front and rear operators40,42unless recited in the claims. As will be explained in more detail with respect toFIGS.9-12, the front and rear operators40,42alternately engage with the tang30of the blade14and the slider48to move the blade14between the retracted and deployed positions.

The front and rear locks44,46may be pivotally connected to the chassis12and biased radially inward in the cavity26by springs50. With the blade14in the retracted position, the rear lock46is in biased engagement with the notch34in the tang30to lock the blade14inside the chassis12. Conversely, with the blade14in the deployed position, the front lock44is in biased engagement with the rear surface36of the tang30to lock the blade14outside of the chassis12.

The slider48has a bottom side52opposed to a top side54with a front sloped surface60and a rear sloped surface62on either of the bottom or top sides52,54. In the particular embodiment shown inFIG.4, the front and rear sloped surfaces60,62are located or defined on the bottom side52of the slider48to engage with the front and rear locks44,46as the slider48moves longitudinally in the cavity26. In alternate embodiments, the front and rear sloped surfaces60,62may be located or defined on opposite sides52,54of the slider48to correspond to the positions of the associated front and rear locks44,46, and the present invention is not limited to the specific location of the front and rear sloped surfaces60,62unless specifically recited in the claims.

A tab64may extend from whichever side of the slider48is closest to the actuator16so that the tab64engages with the actuator16and the actuator16and the slider48move together. In the particular embodiment shown inFIG.4, for example, the tab64extends from the top side54of the slider48. In this manner, forward and rearward movement of the actuator16moves the slider48the same direction and distance.

The slider48has a rear position that moves the blade14to the retracted position and a front position that moves the blade14to the deployed position. Specifically, with the slider48in the front position and the blade14locked in the deployed position, as the slider48moves to the rear position, the slider48engages with the rear operator42to increase tension in the springs38. Rearward movement of the slider48causes the front sloped surface60to engage with the front lock44to pivot the front lock44outward, disengaging the front lock44from the rear surface36of the tang30to allow the springs38to pull the front operator40against the post32in the tang30to move the blade14to the retracted position. Conversely, with the slider48in the rear position and the blade14locked in the retracted position, as the slider48moves to the front position, the slider48engages with the front operator40to increase tension in the springs38. Forward movement of the slider48causes the rear sloped surface62to engage with the rear lock46to pivot the rear lock46outward, disengaging the rear lock46from the notch34in the tang30of the blade14to allow the springs38to pull the rear operator42against the post32in the tang30to move the blade14to the deployed position.

FIG.5provides a right plan view of the pocket knife10shown inFIG.1, andFIG.6provides a cross-section view of the pocket knife10shown inFIG.5taken along6-6. As shown in the right portion ofFIG.4andFIGS.5and6, the pocket knife10may further include a means for releasably connecting the first or left scale18to the second or right scale20. The function of the means is to releasably connect the first or left scale18to the second or right scale20. The structure for performing the function may include one or more screws or fasteners that releasably engage with the left and/or right scales18,20. In the particular embodiment shown inFIGS.4-6, the structure for releasably connecting the first or left scale18to the second or right scale20is a first or left screw82, a second or right screw84, and a threaded spacer86. The threaded spacer86may be located between the left and right scales18,20, for example at the rear of the chassis12proximate to a pocket clip88. The left screw82fits through an aperture90in the left scale18and threads into the threaded spacer86. The right screw84similarly fits through an aperture92in the right scale20and threads into the threaded spacer86. In this manner, the left and right screws82,84releasably connect the left and right scales18,20, respectively, to the threaded spacer86, thereby releasably connecting the left scale18to the right scale20.

FIG.7provides a left plan view of the blade14shown inFIG.4according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown most clearly inFIG.7, first and second legs100,102extend from the tang30of the blade14to define a recess104in the tang30between the first and second legs100,102. The first and second legs100,102increase the longitudinal length of the tang30to enhance stability between the blade14and the chassis12when the blade is deployed. The recess104in the tang30between the first and second legs100,102allows a protrusion106of the chassis12or the first and/or second scales18,20to extend into the recess104in the tang30between the first and second legs100,102when the blade14is in the retracted position.

FIG.8provides a left plan view of the pocket knife10shown inFIGS.1-3with the blade14in the retracted position and the actuator16, left scale18, and slider48removed. As shown inFIG.8, the protrusion106of the chassis12extends into the recess104in the tang30between the first and second legs100,102when the blade14is in the retracted position. As also shown inFIG.8, at least a portion of the aperture92through the right scale20overlaps the recess104in the tang30between the first and second legs100,102when the blade is in the retracted position. Similarly, at least a portion of the aperture90through the left scale18may overlap the recess104in the tang30between the first and second legs100,102when the blade is in the retracted position and the left scale18is assembled with the right scale20. Alternately or in addition, at least a portion of the means for releasably connecting the first scale18to the second scale20, as shown inFIGS.5and6, is located in the recess104in the tang30between the first and second legs100,102when the blade14is in the retracted position.

The presence of the first and second legs100,102and resulting recess104in the tang30thus allows the blade14to have a longitudinally longer cutting edge28without reducing the longitudinal length of the tang30or increasing the overall length of the blade14. As a result, the blade14can have a longer cutting edge28without extending the overall length of the blade14or reducing the stability between the blade14and the chassis12provided by the tang30when the blade14is in the deployed position.

Operation of the pocket knife10between the retracted and deployed positions will now be described with respect toFIGS.9-12. As shown inFIG.9, the actuator16is in the shut position, and the slider48is in the rear position with the blade14retracted inside the cavity26. With the blade14in the retracted position, the rear operator42is engaged with the post32of the tang30, and the rear lock46is engaged with the notch34in the tang30to retain the blade14in the retracted position.

To deploy the blade14, the actuator16is moved forward to the open position as shown inFIG.10, and the engagement between the tab64and the actuator16causes the slider48to move forward with the actuator16. As the slider48initially moves forward, the rear lock46remains engaged with the notch34in the tang30to prevent the blade14from moving, and the front of the slider48engages with the front operator40to move the front operator40forward and increase tension in the springs38between the front and rear operators40,42. Eventually, the rear sloped surface62on the bottom side52of the slider48disengages the rear lock46from the notch34to release the blade14, as shown inFIG.10.

When the rear lock46disengages from the notch34, the tension in the springs38causes the rear operator42to eject the blade14out of the cavity26to the deployed position, as shown inFIG.11. The blade14moves out of the cavity26until the post32contacts the front operator40to prevent further travel of the blade14out of the cavity26. As shown inFIG.11, the actuator16is in the open position with the blade14deployed outside of the cavity26. In the deployed position, the front operator40is engaged with the post32, and the front lock44is engaged with the rear surface36of the tang30to hold the blade14in the deployed position.

To retract the blade14, the actuator16is moved rearward to the shut position as shown inFIG.12, and the engagement between the tab64and the actuator16causes the slider48to move rearward with the actuator16. As the slider48initially moves rearward, the front lock44remains engaged with the rear surface36of the tang30to prevent the blade14from moving, and the rear of the slider48engages with the rear operator42to move the rear operator42rearward and increase tension in the springs38between the front and rear operators40,42. Eventually, the front sloped surface60on the bottom side52of the slider48disengages the front lock44from the rear surface36of the tang30to release the blade14, as shown inFIG.12.

When the front lock44disengages from the rear surface36of the tang30, the tension in the springs38causes the front operator40to pull the blade14into the cavity26to the retracted position, as shown inFIG.9. The blade14moves into the cavity26until the post32of the tang30contacts the rear operator42, and the rear lock46again engages with the notch34in the tang30to retain the blade14in the retracted position.