Abstract:
A bracelet or flexible band comprised of a flexible member that on one end is interconnected to a knife and on another end, is connected to a sheath that selectively receives the knife in the locking fashion. When needed, the knife is rotated within the sheath to facilitate release thereof from a lock that is integral with the sheath. Once removed from the sheath, the knife can be used for self-defense, cutting rope or cord in an emergency situation, or for general utility cutting tasks.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/605,410, filed May 25, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/341,913, filed May 26, 2016, the entireties of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a bracelet comprising a first end and a second end interconnected by a knife selectively enclosed within a sheath to form a closed loop. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    It is often advantageous to carry a knife to perform everyday tasks, to cut a seatbelt or a tangled line in an emergency, or for self-defense. One problem with most knives is that they must be stored in pockets, handbags, or in a sheath worn on a belt, which can be cumbersome and unsightly. It can also be time consuming to draw a knife from a pocket, handbag, or sheath, especially in a stressful or emergency situation. One example of an emergency is a car accident, wherein the seatbelt will not release and a cutting implement is needed to cut the seatbelt to allow vehicle extrication. It is easy to envision in this situation, it may be difficult or impossible for one to access a pocket or handbag to retrieve a knife to cut the seatbelt and free themselves. Further, in a self-defense situation, the extra time it takes to retrieve a knife from a pocket or handbag could result in serious injury or death. If a person is in a struggle, accessing a knife from a pocket or handbag may be difficult or impossible. 
         [0004]    It is, thus, a long-felt need to provide an accessible knife that can be quickly and easily deployed that need not fit into a pocket, on a belt, or in a handbag. The knives contemplated by embodiments of the present invention may be worn about one&#39;s wrist, ankle, or waist and, thus, can be quickly and easily deployed any time if needed in an emergency, for self-defense, or when the need arises to cut a rope or cord, open a box, or open a letter, etc. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is one aspect of some embodiments of the present invention to provide a knife comprising the blade extending from a blade base that supports the blade and functions as a small handle portion. The blade base and handle may be an integral unit, i.e., a skeleton knife. The blade base is also operatively interconnected to one end of a flexible band or strap. The other end of the knife is selectively interconnected to a sheath that selectively receives the blade. The opposite end of the sheath may be either permanently fixed or selectively interconnected to an opposite end of the flexible band by way of a clasp and hasp, a loop and T-post connection, a hook and eye, or with a magnetic/ferromagnetic interaction. How the sheath interconnects to the flexible band increases safety as the blade is enclosed in the sheath before the flexible band is wrapped around the wrist. Without this connection scheme, the knife must be inserted into the sheath to attach to the bracelet to one&#39;s wrist, which could cause serious injury as the sharp knife blade must be placed near the user&#39;s wrist to affect bracelet closure. 
         [0006]    As mentioned above, the knife blade extends from a base, which in one embodiment includes a protective handle guard extending therefrom. A top surface of the blade and/or blade base may include a curved or ramped thumb grip with serrations to provide a substantially non-slip gripping surface (also known in the art as “jimping”). Because at least a portion of the flexible band functions as a portion of the knife handle, upward force on the blade&#39;s cutting edge can cause the band to flex and the blade to rotate backward, which can cause ineffective cutting force. Gripping areas on the blade and/or the blade base acts as a purchase area that receives the user&#39;s thumb or forefinger to prevent upward rotation of the blade; and allows the short blade base and flexible band to effectively function as a rigid knife handle. 
         [0007]    The knife, sheath, and band form a bracelet, which may be circular, when the knife is inserted into the sheath. When the knife is positioned within the sheath, it is locked such that the knife or sheath must be moved in a specific fashion to release the knife. That is, the sheath of some embodiments of the present invention includes a positive locking mechanism that secures the knife within the sheath. The positive locking mechanism improves safety and prevents loss because the knife is secured and accidental or unintended release is eliminated. Release of the positive locking mechanism of some embodiments requires opposing forces acting on the sheath and the blade base and/or flexible band. One force is transferred from the thumb or forefinger to press down on the top of the sheath. The second force is generated by the thumb or forefinger in an opposing direction to the first force, which urges the blade base along an outer surface associated with the sheath opening (which may be arcuate) and eventually allows for removal of the knife. As knife removal requires opposing forces be applied in a specific fashion to both the top of the sheath and the blade base or flexible band, unintended or accidental release of the knife is drastically reduced or eliminated; even in a hand-to-hand struggle when an attacker applies pulling or twisting forces directly to the bracelet or to the wearer&#39;s wrist in close proximity to the bracelet. 
         [0008]    The positive lock of one embodiment of the present invention comprises a detent that captures the handle guard extending from the blade base. The handle guard increases safety and helps avoid injury by preventing the user&#39;s fingers from sliding past the blade base and onto the blade edge. The handle guard has a portion that engages the deflectable detent that is selectively interconnected to the sheath by way of a flexible arm. When relaxed, the detent is near the sheath, which traps the handle guard between the open end of the sheath and a stop on the detent. The deflectable arm is urged away from the sheath when the blade base is rotated within a plane corresponding to the outer surface of the sheath. Such movement will urge the handle guard against the detent, thereby deflecting the arm and biasing the detent away from the sheath which allows the knife to be removed. The detent may include a socket that forms a seat that snugly receives a bulged portion of the handle guard when the knife is within the sheath. This feature helps ensure the knife stays within the sheath when the lock is in place, i.e., when the detent is released. 
         [0009]    As mentioned above, the knife is released from the sheath by movement of the knife within the sheath in a specific fashion. The sheath has an internal volume with a ceiling and a floor. A gap is provided between the knife&#39;s cutting edge and the floor of the sheath when the knife is within the sheath. The gap allows the knife to be rotated within the sheath and the blade base relative to the sheath, which urges the handle guard against the detent to deflect the arm and facilitate movement of the bulge from the socket. To facilitate rotation of the blade within the sheath, the blade may be shaped to provide a pivot point that selectively engages the sheath ceiling. A bottom surface of the sheath may be non-continuous or the arm may have a groove that receives the blade tip to facilitate blade rotation and release. 
         [0010]    It is still yet another aspect of some embodiments of the present invention to provide a flexible wristband made of flexible, resilient material. In one embodiment, the wristband is formed of braided paracord. Other embodiments of the present invention employ a metal bracelet, commonly found on many watches; or a rubber band, found on many dive watches. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the flexible band need not be associated with a user&#39;s wrist. More specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention the flexible portion interconnected to the knife and sheath is a belt, wherein the knife and sheath form a belt buckle or a secondary belt clasp. In operation, a user simply moves a knife relative to the sheath to release the knife and open the belt. The end of the flexible band is interconnected to a T-post or hook extending from the sheath. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate there are other ways to interconnect the ends of the flexible band to the knife and sheath without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0011]    The wristband may be made of any material such as paracord, a stretch elastic material, stainless steel, Kevlar, rubber metal, or carbon fiber. The wristband can be made of a bi-stable spring that selectively stiffens, i.e., the material of a slap bracelet. In one embodiment of the present invention, the blade of one embodiment is made of stainless steel (e.g., 8Cr13MoV). And, in one embodiment of the present invention, the blade is a 1.5-inch hawk-bill blade, but any blade may be used such as a drop point blade. The sheath and blade base may be made of glass/nylon polymer or any other suitable plastic. 
         [0012]    As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the component fit within the sheath need not be a knife. For example, some embodiments of the present invention employ a can opener, a flashlight, a flint, an RFID device, a key, a USB device, a fingernail file, a multi-tool, a compass, a pen, a computer memory device, a whistle, an energy storage device, or oil, wax, liquid, or other common material that can be vaporized or atomized (e.g., smoking oil). In this later example, the bracelet could function as a smoking device, wherein the sheath or component that fits into the sheath accommodates a heating device. The opposite end of the bracelet would comprise a device that selectively fits within a user&#39;s mouth, wherein he or she would draw vaporized smoking products similar to a (“vape pen”). The smoking product could be stored in oil form in at least one end of the bracelet or in a flexible tube incorporated into the flexible portion of the bracelet. In one embodiment of the present invention, the item associated with the blade base are selectively interchangeable. For example, the knife can be removed such that the blade base can receive USB storage device. Removeability of the knife also allows it to be replaced when it becomes dull. 
         [0013]    Further, the sheath (or component received therein) may include additional functionality/features, such as a compass, a watch, an RFID device, or other wireless data transferring devices that allow individuals to unlock doors, pay for merchandise, transmit their identity or vital statistics. In some other embodiments, the sheath includes components that allow it to communicate with a cellular phone or other device via wireless communication means such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. That is, the sheath may include a screen and electronic components and function somewhat like an Apple Watch. The flexible portion of the bracelet may also accommodate a wristwatch, wherein the clasp can be separated to reveal the knife. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that some embodiments may function as a heart rate monitor or fitness tracker. 
         [0014]    It is, thus, one aspect of some embodiments of the present invention to provide a bracelet with in integrated knife, comprising: a sheath having a first end and a second open end; a knife comprised of a blade extending from a blade base, the blade base having a first end for interconnection to the blade and a second end, the blade base also having a handle guard extending therefrom; a flexible band having a first end operatively interconnected to the first end of the sheath, and a second end operatively interconnected to the second end of the blade base; wherein the sheath includes a selectively deflectable arm that ends in a detent positioned adjacent the second open end of the sheath; and wherein the detent has a first position of use where the handle guard is positioned between the second open end of the sheath and the detent, and a second position of use where the detent is deflected such that the handle guard is free to move away from the second open end of the sheath. 
         [0015]    It is another aspect of some embodiments to provide a bracelet with an integrated device, comprising: a sheath having a first end and a second open end; a device comprised of a first end configured to selectively fit within the sheath, and a second end with a protrusion extending therefrom; a flexible band having a first end operatively interconnected to the first end of the sheath, and a second end operatively interconnected to the second end of the second end of the device; wherein the sheath includes a selectively deflectable arm that ends in a retaining member positioned adjacent the second open end of the sheath; and wherein the retaining member has a first position of use where the protrusion is positioned between the second open end of the sheath and the retaining member, and a second position of use where the retaining member is deflected such that the device is free to move from of the sheath. 
         [0016]    It is still yet another aspect of some embodiments of the present invention to provide a sheath, comprising: a first surface; a second surface spaced from the first surface; a third surface interconnecting the first surface and the second surface; a fourth surface interconnecting the first surface and the second surface; wherein the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface define an internal volume; an arm deflectably attached to the fourth surface; and a detent interconnected to an end of the arm, the detent adapted to selectively engage a portion of a device that is adapted to fit within the volume to lock the device within the sheath. 
         [0017]    The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present invention. That is, these and other aspects and advantages will be apparent from the disclosure of the invention(s) described herein. Further, the above-described embodiments, aspects, objectives, and configurations are neither complete nor exhaustive. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the invention are possible using, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described below. Moreover, references made herein to “the present invention” or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the present invention and should not necessarily be construed as limiting all embodiments to a particular description. The present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description of the Invention and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary of the Invention. Additional aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the Detail Description, particularly when taken together with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of these inventions. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bracelet of one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a bottom plan view of the bracelet; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the bracelet; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3A  is front elevation view showing a knife removed from a sheath; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the bracelet in a second, open position of use wherein a blade has been removed from the sheath; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional front elevation view showing the knife removed from the sheath; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional front elevation view showing the interaction between the knife and sheath as the knife is initially positioned within the sheath with the handle guard clear of a locking detent; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a detailed view showing the interaction between the handle guard and the positive locking detent; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a front elevation view showing the blade positioned within the sheath and in the locked position; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a detailed view of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view illustrating how knife release is initiated; 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  is a front elevation view showing the knife seated in the sheath and positively locked, a portion of the sheath is shown transparent; 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  is a front elevation view showing the knife at an initial phase of removal from the sheath, wherein an arm is fully deflected, a portion of the sheath is shown transparent; 
           [0032]      FIG. 13  is a front elevation view showing the knife at an intermediate phase of removal from the sheath, wherein the arm is deflected and the bulge on the handle guard has cleared the nose on the detent, a portion of the sheath is shown transparent; 
           [0033]      FIG. 14  is front elevation view showing the knife at a final stage of removal from the sheath, wherein the arm is in a relaxed, un-deflected position, a portion of the sheath is shown transparent; 
           [0034]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a bracelet of another embodiment of the present invention that incorporates a watch; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 16  is a top perspective view of the combination watch and bracelet shown in  FIG. 15 . 
       
    
    
       [0036]    To assist in the understanding of one embodiment of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 No. 
                 Component. 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 2 
                 Bracelet 
               
               
                 6 
                 Flexible band 
               
               
                 10 
                 Flexible band first end 
               
               
                 14 
                 Flexible band second end 
               
               
                 18 
                 Sheath 
               
               
                 22 
                 Knife 
               
               
                 26 
                 Blade base 
               
               
                 28 
                 Handle 
               
               
                 30 
                 Handle guard 
               
               
                 34 
                 Detent 
               
               
                 36 
                 Socket 
               
               
                 38 
                 Outer surface 
               
               
                 42 
                 Sheath first end 
               
               
                 46 
                 Hook 
               
               
                 50 
                 Sheath second, open end 
               
               
                 54 
                 Blade 
               
               
                 58 
                 Upper edge 
               
               
                 62 
                 Ceiling 
               
               
                 66 
                 Floor 
               
               
                 70 
                 Tip 
               
               
                 74 
                 Arm 
               
               
                 82 
                 Apex 
               
               
                 86 
                 Loop 
               
               
                 90 
                 Handle guard end 
               
               
                 94 
                 Bulge 
               
               
                 98 
                 Nose 
               
               
                 102 
                 Upper surface 
               
               
                 106 
                 Lower surface 
               
               
                 110 
                 Watch 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0037]    The drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0038]      FIGS. 1-7  show a bracelet  2  of one embodiment of the present invention. The bracelet  2  is comprising a flexible band  6  having a first end  10  and a second end  14 . The first end  10  of the flexible band  6  is interconnected to a sheath  18  and the second end  14  is interconnected to a knife  22 . The flexible band  6  of one embodiment of the present invention is formed of braided paracord. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other flexible bands, straps, bow strap, or harness may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0039]    The knife  22  when positioned within the sheath as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , forms an article adapted to fit around a user&#39;s wrist, ankle, or waist; or be incorporated into any strap, such as a bow strap. A bracelet  2  is provided in the figures provided herein. The clasp of the bracelet comprises the sheath  18  that selectively receives the knife  22 . The knife  22  can cut items for everyday utility, in an emergency, or be used for self-defense. 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the knife  22  includes a blade  54  interconnected to a blade base  26 . The blade base  26  and a portion of the flexible band  6  define a handle  28  interconnected to the blade. The blade base  26  includes a handle guard  30  selectively locked by a movable detent  34  associated with the sheath. A socket  36  of the detent  34  and an outer surface  38  of the sheath trap the handle guard to lock the blade within the sheath. The sheath  18  has a first end  42  which may have a hook  46 , or another device, for selective receipt of the first end of the flexible band  6 . A second end  14  of the flexible band is tied or otherwise interconnected to the blade base  26 . The sheath  18  may have a curved inner surface, i.e., the surface configured to contact the user&#39;s body, and the blade base  26  may have a complementary arcuate surface (see also,  FIG. 3A ). The curved surface or surfaces enhance user comfort and ergonomics. Further, these surfaces may incorporate a cushion to increase comfort. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 4 and 5  show the bracelet  2  in an open configuration. Here, the knife  22 , which comprises a blade  54  and the blade base  26 , has been removed from the sheath  18 , thereby allowing the flexible band to elongate. The handle guard  30  protects the user&#39;s fingers from sliding past the blade base and unintended contact with the blade  54  and cutting edge. The blade base  26  and the blade  54  may also include a knurled upper edge  58  that enhances gripping and serves as a surface for user&#39;s thumb or forefinger to press downward on the blade  54  to prevents upward rotation of the blade that may result from band flex. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 6-9  illustrate how the knife is locked within the sheath. The sheath  18  includes a ceiling  62  and a floor  66 , wherein a blade tip  70  is spaced from the floor  66  when the knife is fully inserted within the sheath  18 . As the blade  54  is initially inserted within the sheath, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the handle guard  30  is spaced from the detent  34 . Further insertion of the blade  54  into the sheath  18  will cause the end  90  of the handle guard to come into close proximity or engage the detent as shown in  FIG. 7 . Still further blade insertion will engage a bulge  94  of the handle guard  30  onto a nose of the detent  98 , thereby flexing the arm  74  and moving the detent  34 . The final locking step is performed by rotating the knife base  26  downwardly along the second, open end of the sheath  50 , which positions the handle guard  30  between the second end of the sheath  50  and the detent  34 , wherein the bulge  94  is firmly seated in a socket  36  provided by the detent.  FIGS. 8 and 9  show the final locking configuration, wherein arm  74  has relaxed and the detent  34  is positioned such that the bulge  94  is firmly seated in the socket  36 . 
         [0043]      FIGS. 10-14  show how the blade  54  is released from the sheath  18 . More specifically, to remove the knife  22  from the sheath  18 , the user presses on the upper surface  102  of the sheath and provides an opposing force to a lower surface  106  of the blade base  26  and an adjacent portion of the flexible band  6 . These opposing forces (see opposing arrows on  FIG. 12 ) cause the blade  54  to rotate within the sheath  18  and moves the tip  70  closer to the floor  66  of the sheath  18 . This rotation also moves the handle guard  30  along the second, open end of the sheath  50  and, thus, moves the handle guard  30  out of the socket  36  provided by the detent  34 . During this phase, the bulge  94  will engage the nose  98  which flexes the arm  74  and allows further movement of the handle guard  30  and blade base  26  from the sheath  18 . That is, movement of the blade base  26  relative to the sheath  18  as shown will eventually allow the handle guard  30  to escape the detent  34 , wherein the handle guard  30  is spaced from the detent  34  as shown in  FIG. 14 . The blade  54  may be hawk-bill, drop point, or other shape to provide an apex  82  at the upper edge thereof that selectively engages a point on the ceiling  62  to facilitate rotation of the knife within the sheath. In one embodiment, this blade release sequence generates an audible noise, such as a “pop.” 
         [0044]      FIGS. 15 and 16  show another embodiment of the present invention, wherein a watch  110  incorporated in the flexible band  6 . Here the clasp is the knife/sheath combination. 
         [0045]    In the examples shown, a paracord flexible band is provided. The paracord terminates in a loop  86  selectively interconnected to the hook  46  on the sheath. The other end of the flexible band is tied or otherwise interconnected to the blade base  26 . 
         [0046]    While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. It is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims. Further, it is to be understood that the invention(s) described herein is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the preceding description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.