Pocket knife

A pocket knife includes a chassis that defines a cavity and a blade having a cutting edge. The blade has a retracted position in which the cutting edge is inside of the cavity and a deployed position in which the cutting edge is outside of the cavity. A recess in the chassis defines a base and a sidewall at an obtuse angle to the base. A pocket clip is engaged with the sidewall of the recess.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally involves a pocket knife. In particular embodiments, the pocket knife may be a manual, a single action, a double action, an out-the-front, or a folding knife design.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pocket knives generally include a folding or sliding blade that may be easily carried by a user. The blade generally has a cutting edge that can move between retracted and deployed positions with respect to a chassis. In the retracted position, the cutting edge is inside of the chassis to shield the cutting edge from inadvertent contact that might damage the blade or cause harm to personnel or objects. In the deployed position, the cutting edge is outside of the chassis to allow use of the cutting edge as desired.

A manually operated pocket knife design generally requires two hands to deploy and retract the blade. A single action pocket knife design typically includes a spring that assists the user to deploy the blade using a single hand, whereas a double action pocket knife design generally includes a spring that assists the user to both deploy and retract the blade using a single hand. Each design balances the convenience and speed of operation with increased risk associated with inadvertent operation.

Many pocket knives include a pocket clip biased against the chassis to facilitate carrying the pocket knife in a concealed or partially concealed manner. For example, the user may carry the pocket knife in a pocket with the pocket clip hooked over the outside of the pocket. In this manner, the pocket clip facilitates access to the pocket knife by securely holding the pocket knife at the top of the pocket to prevent the pocket knife from dropping to the bottom of the pocket.

Various designs exist to attach the pocket clip to the chassis. For example, one or more pocket clip screws may attach the pocket clip to the chassis of the pocket knife. Although pocket clip screws enable the user to easily reposition, repair, or replace the pocket clip, the pocket clip screws occasionally become loose through normal wear and usage, allowing the pocket clip to pivot, rotate, or otherwise move with respect to the chassis. Since the pocket clip is biased against the chassis, movement between the pocket clip and the chassis tends to scratch or mar the outer surface of the chassis. Therefore, the need exists for an improved pocket clip design that reduces scratching or marring of the chassis caused by movement between the pocket clip and the chassis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention is a pocket knife that includes a chassis that defines a cavity and a blade having a cutting edge. The blade has a retracted position in which the cutting edge is inside of the cavity and a deployed position in which the cutting edge is outside of the cavity. A pocket clip is attached to the chassis by means for attaching the pocket clip to the chassis.

An alternate embodiment of the present invention is a pocket knife that includes a chassis that defines a cavity and a blade having a cutting edge. The blade has a retracted position in which the cutting edge is inside of the cavity and a deployed position in which the cutting edge is outside of the cavity. A recess in the chassis defines a base and a sidewall at an obtuse angle to the base. A pocket clip is engaged with the sidewall of the recess.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a pocket knife includes a left chassis, a right chassis opposed to the left chassis, and a cavity between the left and right chassis. A blade having a cutting edge has a retracted position in which the cutting edge is inside of the cavity and a deployed position in which the cutting edge is outside of the cavity. A recess in at least one of the left or right chassis defines a base and a sidewall at an obtuse angle to the base. A pocket clip defines a seating surface parallel to the sidewall of the recess, and the seating surface of the pocket clip is engaged with the sidewall of the recess.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention include a pocket knife with a pocket clip that reduces scratching or marring of the pocket knife. Unless specifically recited in the claims, the pocket knife may be a manual, a single action, a double action, an out-the-front, or a folding knife design. 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.

FIG.1provides a perspective view of a pocket knife10according to one embodiment of the present invention in a retracted position, andFIG.2provides a perspective view of the pocket knife10shown inFIG.1in a deployed position. As shown inFIGS.1and2, 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 chassis12may be a single piece construction or may be formed from a left chassis18connected to a right chassis20by screws22or other attachment means. As shown inFIGS.1and2, the screws22may also attach a left scale24and a right scale26over some or all of the left and right chassis18,20, respectively, for decoration and/or additional support for the actuator16. In particular embodiments, the screws22may be inserted through the left chassis18and left scale24(if present) to provide threaded engagement with the right chassis20without passing through the right chassis20or right scale26(if present), resulting in a visually clean appearance of the right side of the chassis12.

FIG.3provides a left plan view of the pocket knife10shown inFIG.1with the left and right scales24,26removed and the actuator16in a mid-position, andFIG.4provides an axial cross-section view of the pocket knife10shown inFIG.3taken along A-A. As shown most clearly inFIG.4, the chassis12defines a left outer surface28opposed to a right outer surface30, a top outer surface32between the left and right outer surfaces28,30, and a cavity34between the left and right outer surfaces28,30.

The blade14generally has one or more cutting edges36and can move between retracted and deployed positions. In the retracted position, as shown inFIGS.1,3,4,6,8, and9, the cutting edge36is inside of the cavity34of the chassis12to shield the cutting edge36from inadvertent contact that might damage the blade14or cause harm to personnel or objects. In the deployed position, as shown inFIGS.2,10, and11, the cutting edge36is outside of the cavity34of the chassis12to allow use of the cutting edge36as desired.

The actuator16controls the operation of the pocket knife10and has a shut or rear position, shown inFIGS.1,8, and11, that moves the blade14to the retracted position and an open or front position, shown inFIGS.2,9, and10, that moves the blade14to the deployed position. The actuator16is in sliding contact with the chassis12, and surfaces of the actuator16may extend beyond the left, right, and/or top outer surfaces28,30,32of the chassis12to enhance access to and gripping of the actuator16. As shown most clearly inFIG.4, for example, a top side38of the actuator16may extend beyond the top outer surface32of the chassis12so that a user holding the pocket knife10in one hand may use a thumb of that hand to slide the actuator16to the open and shut positions to alternately deploy and retract the blade14. Alternately or in addition, a left side40of the actuator16may extend beyond the left outer surface28of the chassis12, and a right side42of the actuator16may extend beyond the right outer surface30of the chassis12. In this manner, a user may use a thumb and index finger to pinch the left and right sides40,42of the actuator16to apply more force to reposition the actuator16to the open and shut positions. Alternate embodiments of the present invention may include any combination of the top, left, and/or right sides38,40,42of the actuator16as shown inFIG.4, and the present invention is not limited to any particular combination unless recited in the claims.

FIG.5provides an exploded view of the pocket knife shown inFIGS.1-3. As shown inFIG.5, the rear portion of the blade14generally includes a tang44, and the tang44of the blade14may include a post46longitudinally separated from a rear surface48and a notch50in one or both sides. In particular embodiments, the post46may be simply a projection from the tang44, while in other embodiments, as shown inFIG.5, the post46may be a separate part threaded or press-fit into the tang44. The purpose and operation of the post46, rear surface48, and notch50will be described in more detail with respect to operation of the blade14between the retracted and deployed positions as shown inFIGS.8-11.

As shown most clearly inFIG.5, a spring52, front and rear operators54,56, front and rear locks58,60, and a slider62may be located inside the cavity34of the chassis12. The spring52connects the front operator54to the rear operator56. In the particular embodiment shown inFIG.5, the spring52is in threaded engagement with the front and rear operators54,56so slight variations in the modulus of elasticity of the spring52may be compensated by increasing or decreasing the length of the threaded engagement with one or both of the front and rear operators54,56. As will be explained in more detail with respect toFIGS.8-11, the front and rear operators54,56alternately engage with the blade14and the slider62to move the blade14between the retracted and deployed positions.

The front and rear locks58,60may be pivotally connected to the chassis12and biased inward in the cavity34by springs64. In this manner, with the blade14in the retracted position, the rear lock60is in biased engagement with the notch50in the tang44to lock the blade14inside the chassis12. Conversely, with the blade14in the deployed position, the front lock58is in biased engagement with the rear surface48of the tang44to lock the blade14outside of the chassis12.

The slider62has a first side66opposed to a second side68and may include a front sloped surface70and a rear sloped surface72on either of the first or second sides66,68. In the particular embodiment shown inFIG.5, the front and rear sloped surfaces70,72are located or defined on the first side66of the slider62to engage with the front and rear locks58,60as the slider62moves longitudinally in the cavity34. In alternate embodiments, the front and rear sloped surfaces70,72may be located or defined on opposite sides66,68of the slider62to correspond to the positions of the associated front and rear locks58,60, and the present invention is not limited to the specific location of the front and rear sloped surfaces70,72unless specifically recited in the claims.

A tab74may extend from whichever side of the slider62is closest to the actuator16so that the tab74engages with the actuator16and the actuator16and the slider62move together. In the particular embodiment shown inFIG.5, for example, the tab74extends from the second side68of the slider62. In this manner, forward or rearward movement of the actuator16moves the slider62the same direction and distance.

The slider62has a rear position that moves the blade14to the retracted position and a front position that moves the blade14to the deployed position. Specifically, with the slider62in the front position and the blade14locked in the deployed position, as the slider62moves to the rear position, the slider62engages with the rear operator56to create tension in the spring52. Rearward movement of the slider62causes the front sloped surface70to engage with the front lock58to pivot the front lock58outward, disengaging the front lock58from the rear surface48of the tang44to allow the spring52to pull the front operator54against the post46in the tang44to move the blade14to the retracted position. Conversely, with the slider62in the rear position and the blade14locked in the retracted position, as the slider62moves to the front position, the slider62engages with the front operator54to create tension in the spring52. Forward movement of the slider62causes the rear sloped surface72to engage with the rear lock60to pivot the rear lock60outward, disengaging the rear lock60from the notch50in the tang44of the blade14to allow the spring52to pull the rear operator56against the rear surface48of the tang44to move the blade14to the deployed position.

FIG.6provides a partially exploded perspective view of the pocket knife10shown inFIG.1with the left and right scales24,26removed, andFIG.7provides a bottom plan view of the actuator16shown inFIGS.1-6. As shown inFIGS.6and7, the tab74extends from the slider62in the cavity34above the top outer surface32of the chassis12to engage with a complimentary recess76in the actuator16so the actuator16and the slider62move together. In addition, a T-shaped boss78may extend from the top outer surface32of the chassis12to slidingly engage with an extended recess80in the actuator16as the actuator16moves between the open and shut positions. In this manner, the T-shaped boss78may retain the actuator16engaged with the top outer surface32of the chassis12as the actuator16slides between the open and shut positions. The extended recess80may include a section82that is wider than the T-shaped boss78. The wider section82of the extended recess80allows removal of the actuator16for repairs or replacement without requiring further disassembly of the chassis12.

Operation of the pocket knife10between the retracted and deployed positions will now be described with respect toFIGS.8-11. As shown inFIG.8, the actuator16is in the shut position, and the slider62is in the rear position with the blade14retracted inside the cavity34. With the blade14in the retracted position, the rear operator56is engaged with the rear surface48of the tang44, and the rear lock60is engaged with the notch50in the tang44to retain the blade14in the retracted position.

To deploy the blade14, the actuator16is moved forward to the open position as shown inFIG.9, and the engagement between the tab74and the actuator16causes the slider62to move forward with the actuator16. As the slider62initially moves forward, the rear lock60remains engaged with the notch50in the tang44to prevent the blade14from moving, and the front of the slider62engages with the front operator54to move the front operator54forward and create tension in the spring52between the front and rear operators54,56. Eventually, the rear sloped surface72on the first side66of the slider62disengages the rear lock60from the notch50to release the blade14, as shown inFIG.9.

When the rear lock60disengages from the notch50, the tension in the spring52causes the rear operator56to eject the blade14out of the cavity34to the deployed position, as shown inFIG.10. The blade14moves out of the cavity34until the post46contacts the front operator54to prevent further travel of the blade14out of the cavity34. As shown inFIG.10, the actuator16is in the open position with the blade14deployed outside of the cavity34. In the deployed position, the front operator54is engaged with the post46, and the front lock58is engaged with the rear surface48of the tang44to hold the blade14in the deployed position.

To retract the blade14, the actuator16is moved rearward to the shut position as shown inFIG.11, and the engagement between the tab74and the actuator16causes the slider62to move rearward with the actuator16. As the slider62initially moves rearward, the front lock58remains engaged with the rear surface48of the tang44to prevent the blade14from moving, and the rear of the slider62engages with the rear operator56to move the rear operator56rearward and create tension in the spring52between the front and rear operators54,56. Eventually, the front sloped surface70on the first side66of the slider62disengages the front lock58from the rear surface48of the tang44to release the blade14, as shown inFIG.11.

When the front lock58disengages from the rear surface48of the tang44, the tension in the spring52causes the front operator54to pull the blade14into the cavity34to the retracted position, as shown inFIG.8. The blade14moves into the cavity34until the rear surface48of the tang44contacts the rear operator56, and the rear lock60again engages with the notch50in the tang44to retain the blade14in the retracted position.

The embodiments described and illustrated with respect toFIGS.1-11provide several advantages over conventional double action pocket knives. For example, the addition of the left and/or right sides40,42of the actuator16that extend beyond the left and right outer surfaces28,30of the chassis12enhances access to and gripping of the actuator16. As a result, a user may use a thumb and index finger to pinch the left and right sides40,42of the actuator16to apply more force to reposition the actuator16to the open and shut positions. Alternately or in addition, the threaded engagement between the spring52and the front and/or rear operators54,56allows for slight variations in the modulus of elasticity of the spring52to be compensated by increasing or decreasing the length of the threaded engagement with one or both of the front and rear operators54,56. As a result, embodiments of the present invention provide an improved pocket knife10that may be comfortably operated one-handed while accommodating manufacturing tolerances in the spring52.

FIG.12provides a right plan view of the pocket knife10shown inFIG.1. As shown inFIGS.5and12, the pocket knife10may further include a pocket clip90and means for attaching the pocket clip90to the chassis12. Various styles exist for pocket clips90, such as deep carry, milled, carabiner, and wire, and the present invention is not limited to any particular style of pocket clip90unless specifically recited in the claims. The pocket clip90may be biased against the chassis12to facilitate carrying the pocket knife10in a concealed or partially concealed manner. In particular embodiments, the pocket clip90may be attached to the left or right chassis18,20.

The function of the means for attaching the pocket clip90to the chassis12is to attach, connect, or clamp the pocket clip90to the chassis12. The structure for performing this function is a recess92in the chassis12and a pocket clip screw94, rivet, bolt, or other fastener. The recess92in the chassis12defines a base96and a sidewall98at an obtuse angle100to the base96. The pocket clip screw94, rivet, bolt, or other fastener fits over or through the pocket clip90and engages with the chassis12to attach, connect, or clamp the pocket clip90to the sidewall98of the recess92in the chassis12.

FIG.13provides a longitudinal cross-section view of the pocket knife10shown inFIG.12taken along B-B;FIG.14provides an axial cross-section view of the pocket knife shown inFIG.12taken along C-C, andFIG.15provides an axial plan view of the pocket knife10shown inFIGS.1and12. In the particular embodiment shown inFIGS.5and13-15, the recess92may be in the left and/or right chassis18,20to allow the pocket clip90to be attached to either side of the chassis12. The obtuse angle100between the base96and the sidewall98of the recess92may be any angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees. In particular embodiments, the obtuse angle100between the base96and the sidewall98may be between 120 degrees and 150 degrees. In the particular embodiment shown inFIGS.5and12, the recess92further includes a first sidewall102substantially parallel to a second sidewall104with an arcuate sidewall106that connects the first sidewall102to the second sidewall104. In this manner, the first sidewall102, second sidewall104, and arcuate sidewall106surround three sides of the pocket clip90to enhance the attachment of the pocket clip90against the sidewall98of the recess92in the chassis12.

FIG.16provides a side plan view of the pocket clip90shown inFIGS.5and12, andFIG.17provides a bottom plan view of the pocket clip90shown inFIG.16. As shown most clearly inFIGS.13-17, the pocket clip90may define a seating surface110that is parallel to the sidewall98of the recess92so that the seating surface110of the pocket clip90engages flush with the sidewall98of the recess92. In the particular embodiment shown inFIGS.16and17, the seating surface110of the pocket clip90includes a first seating surface112substantially parallel to a second seating surface114with an arcuate seating surface116that connects the first seating surface112to the second seating surface114. In this manner, the first, second, and arcuate seating surfaces112,114,116of the pocket clip90may engage flush with the first, second, and arcuate sidewalls102,104,106of the recess92to more securely hold the pocket clip90in place against the chassis12.

Returning toFIGS.13-15, the pocket clip screw94threadingly engages with at least one of the left or right chassis18,20to releasably engage or clamp the first, second, and arcuate seating surfaces112,114,116of the pocket clip90flush against the first, second, and arcuate sidewalls102,104,106of the recess92to more securely hold the pocket clip90in place against the chassis12. As shown inFIGS.13-15, the flush engagement between the seating surface110of the pocket clip90and the sidewall98of the recess92may prevent the pocket clip90from contacting the base96of the recess92, resulting in a space or gap118between the pocket clip90and the base96of the recess92. As a result, the pocket clip90is spaced from the base96of the recess92so all of the clamping force applied by the pocket clip screw94is applied to the flush engagement between the seating surface110of the pocket clip90and the sidewall98of the recess92to firmly hold the pocket clip90in place against the chassis12.

The various features of the pocket clip90and recess92shown inFIGS.12-17provide several benefits over existing designs. Specifically, the obtuse angle100of the sidewall98of the recess92allows the pocket clip screw94, rivet, bolt, or other fastener to wedge, pinch, or clamp the pocket clip90against the angled sidewall98of the recess92to more securely attach the pocket clip90to the chassis12. The first, second, and arcuate sidewalls102,104,106of the recess92, if present, provide additional angled surfaces around the pocket clip90to further enhance the attachment between the pocket clip90and the chassis12to reduce relative movement between the two. Alternately or in addition, the seating surface110of the pocket clip90and/or the gap118between the pocket clip90and the base96of the recess92produce a more secure connection between the pocket clip90and the chassis12to further reduce any movement between the pocket clip90and the chassis12that might scratch or mar the surface of the chassis12.