Abstract:
A necklace, bracelet, or rear view mirror accessory is provided that has the dual function of being a knife holder. The necklace has a knife with an ornamented handle that protrudes from a knife sheath, the two forming a pendant. The pendant is attached to a loop that is sized to fit on a user or over a rear view mirror. The ornamentation is created with cutouts.

Description:
FIELD  
       [0001]    The present technology relates to a combination of a knife and a sheath, which when together, form a pendant for hanging around a user&#39;s neck. More specifically, the technology is a knife with a cutout ornamental handle and a blade that is releasably retained in a laterally symmetrical extrusion molded sheath having a cord or strap attached thereto. 
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]    Various combinations of knives and sheaths are known. Some sheaths are formed of leather or plastic and loosely retain the knife. These can accept a range of different sizes and shapes of knives. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,684 discloses a one piece molded knife sheath for fixed blade knives having a blade portion and a contoured handle portion including a forefinger groove separated from the blade portion by a handle ridge. The sheath of the invention is comprised of a blade-contoured sheath pocket for receiving the blade portion and adjacent handle ridge of such knives. The molded sheath pocket has an elongated back wall, a shorter front wall and a pair of side walls interconnecting the front wall to the back wall. The back wall of the sheath pocket in its upper portion has molded-in belt loops for attaching the sheath to the belt of the wearer. 
         [0003]    Other sheaths are formed to specifically retain a given knife. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,322 discloses a security sheath for knives wherein the sheath is made of 2 sheets of thermoplastic attached to one another with rivets, and then molded to the exact dimensions of the knife blade, thereby providing a margin where the two sheets are joined together, and an asymmetric interior inside the margin, where the sheath is the exact shape of the knife. The sheath grips the knife tightly to prevent accidental loss or withdrawal. The security of such grip is sufficient to enable the knife to be carried in the sheath in an inverted position upon the body of the wearer. 
         [0004]    Some combinations are designed specifically for hanging around a user&#39;s neck or wrist. For example, Design Pat. No. 321548 discloses a knife and sheath combination wherein the knife is a fixed blade knife and the sheath has a cord attached at its distal end for attaching to a user. The sheath comprises at least two sheets attached to one another to define an opening that fits over the blade and a portion of the handle of the knife. The sheath is asymmetrical and is strictly functional. 
         [0005]    In a similar art, pen holders are known having a strap or cord for placing over a user&#39;s neck. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,749 discloses a pen-holder that includes a body with at least one cavity formed therein with at least one aperture communicating with the exterior and with at least one resilient member fixed to an inner wall of the cavity so as to be able to engage a tip of a writing instrument inserted therein. The body also has means for securing it to a user, or to an accessory or garment worn by the said user. The cavity is preferably frusto-conical, tapering towards the inside of the body. 
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]    The present technology provides a pendant that has dual functionality, that of jewelry and an implement. The pendant is comprised of a knife with a blade and an ornamented handle, the handle having an essentially elongated teardrop shaped rim and an interior, and terminating in a butt, the interior of the handle comprising a multi-aperture cutout to define a positive or a negative silhouette; and 
         [0007]    a sheath comprised of an extrusion molded nylon single unit forming a laterally symmetrical body defining a cavity for accepting the blade and an integral nipple for accepting a loop. 
         [0008]    Preferably, the positive or negative silhouette defines an intricate artistic design selected from the group consisting of a bear, a fish and a ram. 
         [0009]    More preferably the intricate artistic design is formed from a negative silhouette. 
         [0010]    Advantageously, the knife is asymmetrical and the pendant is symmetrical. 
         [0011]    Preferably, the body of the sheath defines a narrow uncontoured cavity for accepting the blade. 
         [0012]    Advantageously, the blade and ornamented handle are integral and the handle has a quillon and spine, the spine extending distally along the blade and having a flattened distal section, to provide a flat surface for a user to press against to assist in cutting. 
         [0013]    Preferably, the nipple is solid and has a loop aperture. 
         [0014]    To make the pendant more decorative the sheath is multi-coloured. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the handle has a concave curve on a lower side. 
         [0016]    Advantageously, the flattened distal section is angled at about 20 to about 35 degrees from the remainder of the spine. 
         [0017]    A necklace comprising a pendant and a loop for fitting on a user is also provided. The pendant comprises: 
         [0018]    an asymmetrical knife with a blade and an ornamented handle, the handle having an essentially elongated teardrop shaped rim and an interior and terminates in a butt, the interior of the 
         [0019]    handle comprising a multi-aperture cutout to define a positive or a negative silhouette; and a sheath comprised of an extrusion molded nylon single unit forming a laterally symmetrical body defining a cavity for accepting the blade and an integral nipple for accepting a loop. 
         [0020]    Preferable, a combination longitudinal axis passes through a centre of the nipple and a centre of the butt. 
         [0021]    It may be desirable that the loop comprises a compliant material and a closure. The compliant material is selected from the group consisting of a leather thong, leather strap, leather braid, a metal chain, a cord, a fabric strap or braid, a rope, or a wire. 
         [0022]    Preferably, the nipple is solid and has a loop aperture. 
         [0023]    Preferably, the necklace further comprises a fitting attaching the loop to the nipple. 
         [0024]    Advantageously, the body of the sheath forms a narrow, uncontoured cavity for accepting the blade. 
         [0025]    Preferably, the positive or negative silhouette defines an intricate artistic design, selected from the group consisting of a bear, a fish and a ram. 
         [0026]    More preferably, the sheath further comprises an extrusion molded design on an outer surface of the body. 
         [0027]    A method of making a necklace or bracelet is also provided comprising: 
         [0028]    laser cutting a handle of an asymmetrical knife to provide an ornamented handle comprising a plurality of shapes of apertures to define a positive or a negative silhouette within a rim, the knife further comprising a blade; 
         [0029]    extrusion molding a unit body, laterally symmetrical nylon sheath, the sheath having a body and solid nipple, the body defining an uncontoured cavity having a knife aperture, the cavity for friction fitting the knife blade; 
         [0030]    attaching a loop to the nipple of the sheath; and 
         [0031]    inserting the knife blade into the knife aperture and allowing the handle to protrude therefrom, thereby making an essentially symmetrical necklace or bracelet. 
     
    
     
       FIGURES  
         [0032]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of the combination of the present technology. 
           [0033]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the knife of the combination of  FIG. 1 , showing the ram design. 
           [0034]      FIG. 3A  is a longitudinal sectional view of the sheath of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 3B  is a cross sectional view of the sheath of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 4A  is a plan view of the pendant of  FIG. 1 , showing the bear design. 
           [0037]      FIG. 4B  is a plan view of the knife of the pendant of  FIG. 5A , showing the fish design. 
       
    
    
     DEFINITIONS  
       [0038]    Cutout—a cutout in the context of the present invention refers to an image provided by either the lack of material, as in a negative silhouette or the presence of material, as in a positive silhouette. 
         [0039]    Negative silhouette—a negative silhouette in the context of the present invention refers to an image created by a combination of voids or apertures, in other words, the image is in the combination of the apertures. 
         [0040]    Positive silhouette—a positive silhouette in the context of the present invention refers to an image created by the material remaining around voids or apertures. 
         [0041]    Intricate artistic design—an intricate artistic design the context of the present invention is a positive or a negative silhouette having a plurality of shapes of apertures. 
         [0042]    Plurality of shapes of apertures—a plurality of shapes of apertures in the context of the present invention refers to more than three different shapes. 
         [0043]    Multi-aperture cutout—a multi-aperture cutout in the context of the present invention is a cutout that has a plurality of shapes of apertures. 
       DESCRIPTION  
       [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a combination, generally referred to as  10  has a knife  12 , a sheath  14  and a loop  16 . The loop  16  may be, for example, but not limited to a compliant material, such as a leather thong, strap or braid, a metal chain such as a gold or silver chain, a cord, a fabric strap or braid, a rope, a plastic material, or a wire, with an optional closure  18 , which may be integral or a separate component. The closure  18  is required if the loop  16  is of a length that requires that it be undone in order to be donned and doffed. The closure  18  may be a knot, clasp or fastener, or the like. A ring  20  may join the loop  16  to the sheath  14 . 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the knife  12  has a blade  30  that is integral with a handle  32 . The blade has a curved cutting edge  34  and an essentially straight upper side  36 , the cutting edge  34  and side  36 , forming a pointed terminal end  38 . A first and second surface  40 ,  42  of the blade  12  has a scoop  44  extending from the proximal end  46  and traversing approximately ¾ of the first and second surface  40 ,  42  at the proximal end  46 . A spine  48  of the handle  32  extends along the upper side  36 . The spine  48  has a flattened distal section  50 . This provides a flat surface for a user to press down on to assist in cutting. The flattened distal section is angled at about 20 to about 35 degrees, and preferably about 25 degrees to about 30 degrees from the remainder of the spine  48 , to further assist a user in cutting. The ram design can be seen in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the handle  32  has an outer rim  56  and an interior  52 . The outer rim  56  is essentially an elongated teardrop shape, with the upper side  57  having a minimal curve, the butt  59  being curved in a convex manner and a concave curve  58  on the lower side  60  of the handle  32  being ergonomically shaped to accept a user&#39;s thumb. The interior  52  is a multi-aperture cutout  54  defining a positive or a negative silhouette or an intricate artistic design. As would be known to one skilled in the art, the interior of the handle may be formed by carving, forging, molding or cutting or any other means of providing the desired cutout. At the junction between the blade  30  and the handle  32 , a quillon  62  extends from the lower side  60 . The quillon  62  and the spine  48  form the margins of the scoop  44 . 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIGS. 3A  and B, the sheath  14  has a body  70  and a nipple  72 . The body defines a cavity  74  with a knife aperture  76  communicating with the exterior. The nipple  72  has a loop aperture  78  for either directly accepting the loop  16 , or for accepting a fitting  20  for direct attachment to the loop  16  and nipple  72  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). The sheath  14  is extrusion molded nylon and is a single unit. This allows for easy production of the sheath  14 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the body  70  is compressed to form two sides  82 ,  84  that do not have the same contour as the blade  30 . In other words, they are not molded to the exact shape of the knife blade  30  and therefore the cavity is uncontoured and the sheath is laterally symmetrical. The cavity  74  does not extend into the nipple  72 , and it therefore is solid. This provides the strength required to suspend the combination of the knife  12  and sheath  14  from the loop  16 . As can be understood by viewing  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the sheath  14  fits snugly over the blade  30  and up to the quillon  62  and provides a friction fit. 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 4A , the knife  12  and sheath  14  form a pendant, generally referred to as  90 . The ornamented handle  32  can be seen extending from the sheath  14 , while the blade  30  is covered. The bear design can be seen in this figure. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the pendant  90  is attached to the loop  16 , becoming a piece of jewelry in the form of a necklace or bracelet, while also being a knife holder. When removed from the pendant  90 , the knife  12  can be used as an implement, giving the pendant dual functionality. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 4B , while the knife  12  is not a symmetrical object, a knife longitudinal axis  100  extends between the centre  102  of the butt  59  and the pointed terminal end  38 . The fish design can be seen in this figure. Thus, when this asymmetrical knife  12  is placed within sheath  14 , which is symmetrical, a combination longitudinal axis passes  104  through the centre  106  of the nipple  72  and the centre  102  of the butt  59 . The symmetry of the sheath  14  and knife  12  combination  10  is shown in  FIG. 5A . This allows the pendant to hang essentially vertically, and have all the appearances of a piece of jewelry. 
         [0050]    The foregoing is an embodiment of the present technology. As would be known to one skilled in the art, variations are contemplated that do not alter the scope of the technology. The carved interior of the handle may be formed by carving, etching, forging, casting, molding or cutting. If forged or cast, then the knife in its entirety would preferably be forged or cast. The sheath may be any colour including multi-coloured. Further, the body of the sheath may be molded to have a design or logo on the outer surface of the body. This can be easily achieved by modifying the mold for the sheath. The loop may be a non-compliant wire that retains its shape.