Abstract:
A knife holder is provided that is adapted to selectively receive a knife. The knife holder may include a lock, but the primary fastening mechanism between the knife and the knife holder is a cord. The knife holder may also have a handle with an open end for selective receipt of a branch, pole, or other similar device to convert the knife and knife holder into a harpoon.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/099,350, filed Jan. 2, 2015, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to a holder used to secure a knife. Some knife holders described herein can also receive a shaft to form a harpoon used by hunters and survivalists. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show a knife  2  used by hunters and survivalists formed from a single piece of metal that includes a blade  6  at one end with a sharpened tip/point and a pommel  10  at an opposite end. The blade  6  has an edge  12  that may be straight, serrated, or combination thereof. The blade  6  ends at a heal  9  is adjacent to a finger guard  14 . The finger guard leads to a tang  18  that connects the blade  6  to the pommel  10 . The pommel  10  may have a shaped profile that terminates at a point  22  (e.g., a hawk&#39;s bill point). The tang  18  and pommel  10  may include a plurality of holes  26 , which, as shown in  FIG. 2 , are used to receive a cord  30  or rope that is also wound around the tang. Knots  34  in the cord  30  located near the blade  6  and the pommel  10  maintain the cord  30  around the tang. The cord  30  increases tang  18  width to create a selectively modifiable grip. The knife  2  shown in  FIG. 1  can be used with or without the cord  30 . 
         [0004]    Survivalists or hunters can use the sharp point  22  or edge of the pommel  10  to cut a groove into a pole, shaft, or branch. A harpoon is created by placing a portion of the tang into the groove, wherein the cord is used to fasten the knife to the shaft. In this configuration, the knife is a tip of a harpoon that can be used for fishing, hunting, or self defense. 
         [0005]    Although the knife  2  is useful in many situations, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that sometimes the spear or harpoon would be more useful. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention enable individuals to quickly transform a knife to a harpoon. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is one aspect of embodiments of the present invention to provide a device that allows a knife to be converted into a harpoon for hunting and fishing. More specifically, a knife holder is provided that receives a knife. The contemplated knife holder has a groove, slot, or pocket that receives portions of the knife tang and pommel. The knife holder may have an elongated handle so the user can grip the knife away from the blade, which enhances safety. The knife holder groove dimensions may closely match the knife outer dimensions to provide a firm and stable interface between the knife and the knife holder. To further enhance the interface between the knife and the knife holder, some embodiments of the present invention have a lock that selectively engages one of the knife holes, which may have been previously used to receive a cord. The lock may be a spring-loaded detent or other type of lock used in a knife industry. Some embodiments employ a screw, bolt, pin, or similar member placed through the handle and the knife to secure the knife to the knife holder. In some embodiments, the lock is used to temporarily retain the knife within the knife holder, and a secondary device is used to firmly secure the knife to the knife holder. For example, the knife holder may possess a plurality of holes that correspond with the knife holes, and the cord is used to secure the knife to the knife holder. 
         [0007]    The handle may have a hollow portion accessible through a selectively interconnected end piece. The end piece may be threateningly engaged to the handle. In other embodiments, the end piece is a snap fit onto the handle. The end piece may have an integrated compass or Ferrocerium fire starter rod. The hollow portion is ideal for storing first aid and survival equipment, such as matches, a lighter, fishing gear, communications equipment, etc. In addition, the handle may accommodate or incorporate a flashlight, wherein the hollow portion is used to store or accommodate batteries. The handle may have threads for selective interconnection to a pole shaft, or a standard threaded broom handle or painting pole extension, which may be foldable, jointed, telescoping, or otherwise easily reduced in size for storage. 
         [0008]    For some embodiments of the present invention, a knife holder is not required. More specifically, the knife may include a hawk&#39;s bill point at its pommel end. The point is used to create a groove or a channel in a green shaft (i.e., a branch) that receives the knife tang. A knife is then tied to the shaft with the cord to create a harpoon. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the knife is about 8.25 inches (21 cm) long, wherein the blade is about 2.9 inches (7.4 cm) long. The blade may be made of stainless steel (7cr17) with a Rockwell C hardness of about 56. The knife holder may be made of Zytel® glass-nylon, wherein the system weighs about 8.9 ounces (250 g). 
         [0010]    It is another aspect of embodiments of the present invention to provide a knife holder adapted for selective receipt of a knife that is comprised of a blade spaced from a hooked pommel by a tang, the handle comprising: a knife securing portion with a pocket adapted to receive the knife pommel and handle; a first hole extending through the knife securing portion; a second hole extending through the knife securing portion; a lock incorporated into the knife securing portion, the lock having a selectively movable detent positioned in the pocket; a handle interconnected with the knife securing portion; and wherein when the knife is positioned in the pocket, the first hole is aligned with a first hole of the knife, and the second hole selectively receives the detent. 
         [0011]    It is another aspect of embodiments of the present invention to provide a harpoon, comprising: a knife comprising: a blade, a tang interconnected to the blade, a pommel interconnected to the tang, and wherein the tang includes a first aperture and the pommel includes a second aperture; a knife holder having a pocket for selective receipt of the knife pommel and handle, the knife holder having a lock comprising a selectively movable detent positioned in the pocket; a handle interconnected with the knife holder; and a shaft interconnected to the handle. 
         [0012]    It is still yet another aspect of embodiments of the present invention to provide a method of forming a harpoon, comprising: providing a knife comprising of a blade, a tang interconnected to the blade, a pommel interconnected to the tang, and wherein the tang includes a first aperture and the pommel includes a second aperture; providing a knife holder having a pocket for selective receipt of the knife pommel and handle, the knife holder having a lock comprising a selectively movable detent positioned in the pocket; providing a handle interconnected to the knife holder; inserting the knife into the pocket; aligning the first aperture of the knife with a corresponding first aperture of the knife holder; aligning the second aperture of the knife with the detent so that the knife is fixed to the knife holder; and interconnecting a shaft to the handle. 
         [0013]    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 
         [0014]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, explain the principles of these inventions. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is an elevation view of a knife used with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is the knife of  FIG. 1 , wherein a portion of the knife is wrapped with a cord to form a grip; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a detailed view of a knife holder; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the knife holder; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a partial view showing the knife holder securing the knife; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  shows the knife holder of  FIG. 5 , wherein the utility knife is secured to the knife holder with a cord; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  shows the knife of one embodiment having a point and adapted for forming a groove in a shaft; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  shows the knife of  FIG. 7  secured to the shaft with a cord; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  shows a hunter using a harpoon of one embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  shows the handle end of one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0025]    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]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 # 
                 Component 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 2 
                 Knife 
               
               
                 6 
                 Blade 
               
               
                 8 
                 Tip 
               
               
                 9 
                 Heal 
               
               
                 10 
                 Pommel 
               
               
                 14 
                 Finger guard 
               
               
                 18 
                 Tang 
               
               
                 22 
                 Point 
               
               
                 26 
                 Hole 
               
               
                 30 
                 Cord 
               
               
                 34 
                 Knot 
               
               
                 38 
                 Knife holder 
               
               
                 42 
                 Groove 
               
               
                 46 
                 Hole 
               
               
                 50 
                 Lock 
               
               
                 52 
                 Detent 
               
               
                 54 
                 Handle 
               
               
                 58 
                 Hollow portion 
               
               
                 62 
                 Harpoon 
               
               
                 66 
                 Channel 
               
               
                 70 
                 Shaft 
               
               
                 76 
                 Hunter 
               
               
                 78 
                 Pole 
               
               
                 82 
                 Matches 
               
               
                 86 
                 Fishhooks 
               
               
                 90 
                 Fishing line 
               
               
                 94 
                 Cap 
               
               
                 98 
                 Compass 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0026]    It should be understood that 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 
       [0027]      FIGS. 3-6  show a knife holder  38  for selectively receiving a knife  2  of one embodiment of the present invention. The knife holder  38  is designed to selectively interface with a tang and pommel of a knife (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The holder includes a groove  42  or slot for receipt of the knife  2 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the dimensions of the groove  42  closely match corresponding portions of the knife  2 . The knife holder  38  may include a plurality of holes  46  that correspond to holes  26  in the knife. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show the knife holder  38  of one embodiment of the present invention that includes the groove  42  that selectively receives a blade shown in  FIG. 1 . When the knife is installed, the holes  26  thereof are aligned with the holes  46  of the knife holder  38  as shown in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 6  shows the aligned holes that accept a cord  30  to fasten the knife  2  to the knife holder  38 . Some embodiments of the present invention also include a lock  50  that selectively interfaces with a knife hole  26  positioned in the pommel  10 . Here, the lock  50  comprises a leaf spring mechanism wherein an end is operatively interconnected to an outer or inner surface of the knife holder  38 , and an end with a detent  52  that selectively interfaces with the knife hole. The knife holder  38  also includes a handle  54  used to extend the length of the knife. The handle  54  may have a hollow portion  58  for holding items and for receiving a shaft. 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  shows the knife  2  secured to the knife holder  38  by using the cord  30  that was previously wrapped about the tang to define the knife handle. Similar to the example shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a portion of cord is threaded through the knife and knife holder and wrapped around knife holder, which secures the knife  2  to the holder  38 . Again, the lock  50  may be provided that aids in the interconnection between the knife and the knife holder. In addition, the lock  50  allows the knife  2  to be interconnected to the knife holder  38  while the cord  30  is wrapped. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 7 and 8  show another way a knife  2  can be made into a harpoon  62 . Here, the knife  2  is used to cut a channel  66  into a green shaft  70 , which can be a branch. The knife  2  is then placed within the channel  66  and the cord  30  is used to secure the knife  2  to the shaft  70 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 9  shows a hunter  76  using the contemplated system. Here, the knife  2  is firmly attached to the knife holder  38  interconnected to a pole  78 . The knife holder  38  may possess threads for receiving the pole  78 . Further, the knife holder  38  may include a set screw that helps firmly secure the pole  78 . The hunter  76  uses the harpoon  62  to hunt wild game, birds, or fish. 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , the knife holder  38  of one embodiment of the present invention includes a hollow portion  58  for the storage of matches  82 , fishhooks  86 , fishing line  90 , and other survival gear. The hollow portion  58  may have threads for selectively securing a pole, which may possess corresponding threads, such as on a replacement broom handle or painting pole extension. The hollow portion  58  is closed with a cap  94 , which may include a compass  98  or ferrocerium fire starter rod. In one embodiment the cap  94  includes a threaded portion that selectively interfaces with threads associated with the hollow portion  58 . In this embodiment, the fire starter rod extends from the threaded portion of the cap such that the fire starter rod is positioned within the hollow portion  58  when not in use. Those of ordinary skill the art will appreciate that the length of the handle may be increased so more items may be stored. 
         [0033]    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.