Patent Publication Number: US-8109002-B2

Title: Wire stripping back bar knife

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Knives, particularly folding blade knives, have been utilized as a basic tool for numerous tasks that require any type of incising material. In fact, a knife is probably one of the most versatile tools available, where the conventional “pocket knife,” as its name implies, indicates wide usage and availability to many people. However, a knife in its basic configuration does not restrict the amount of incision to material which is necessary in certain applications. People that work with insulated wire, such as electricians, farmers, handymen, construction workers, or individuals working with wire around the house or for their profession often require removing a portion of the insulation and leaving the underlying wire exposed, presumably for electrical conductivity such as insertion into a wire nut. However, this generally requires a more surgical application of some form of incising device to cut through the outer insulation and leave the inner wire and not make substantial contact with the inner wire. Disclosed herein are various embodiments to provide the functionality and usefulness of a pocket knife while also providing wire stripping capabilities. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Disclosed herein is a wire stripping knife for stripping the outer insulation of a wire from the core portion. This wire stripping knife has a handle member having a forward and rearward portion and also a base surface. A blade member is provided attached at the forward region of the handle. 
     Further, a stripper bar attached to the handle where the stripper bar has an open orientation and a closed orientation. The stripper bar has an inward surface operatively configured to engage the wire to be stripped where the inward surface of the stripper bar cooperates with the base surface of the handle such that when the stripper bar is in a closed orientation, either the inward surface of the stripper bar or the base surface of the handle incises the insulation of the wire from the core portion. 
     In one form the wire stripping knife where the stripper bar is pivotally attached at an outer transverse region of the handle at a pivot attachment location. In this form the blade is pivotally attached to the handle at the forward location and the blade has an extended orientation and a retracted orientation. In one implementation the wire stripping knife has stripper bar is not able to be configured in an open configuration when the blade is in an extended orientation with respect to the handle. In another form stripper bar has an extension positioned at the opposing longitudinal region of the pivot attachment location from the inward surface of the stripper bar where the extension is configured to engage a cam surface of the blade so when the blade is in the extended orientation, the stripper bar is in a closed orientation. 
     When the stripper bar operates as a lock back configuration, the cam surface of the blade has a notch portion so the extension of the stripper bar engages the notch portion when the blade is in an open orientation, thereby locking the blade in the open orientation so long as the extension is contained within the notch. In this form when the stripper bar reorients to a closed orientation, the extension disengages from the notch of the blade. 
     In most configurations the first and second stripping members having stripping surfaces that are positioned opposite one another where the stripping surfaces provide a plurality of slots narrowing in diameter to engage wires of different diameters. 
     Of course other features and more detail of a few embodiments are further disclosed herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows the folding wire stripping knife in a closed orientation where the edge portion of the blade extends beyond the perimeter profile of the lateral openings; 
         FIG. 2  shows the folding knife in an open orientation; 
         FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional view of one of the lateral openings where an insulated wire is inserted therethrough; 
         FIG. 4  shows schematically where the wire is rotated with respect to the blade to provide an incision circumferentially around the insulation of the wire; 
         FIG. 5  shows the end insulation portion being removed from the main body of the wire; 
         FIG. 6  shows a second embodiment where a plurality of additional wire stripping devices are attached to the main body of the folding knife; 
         FIG. 7  shows the second embodiment in an extended orientation with the various wire stripping portions in an open manner as well. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  show the spring member of the rearward stripping device biasing the rearward stripping device from an open to a closed orientation. 
         FIGS. 7C and 7D  show an adjustment mechanism for the rearward stripping device. 
         FIG. 8  shows another embodiment where a spring-like mechanism is positioned and is adapted to resist rotation to a fully closed orientation; 
         FIG. 9  shows the embodiment in a fully closed orientation where the edge portion breaks or extends within the lateral profile of the lateral openings of the openings within the handle; 
         FIG. 10  shows another embodiment where the wire stripping portion is in a rearward region of the blade and in one form, a spring like mechanism resistsrotation to the fully closed orientation which substantially or completely positions the edge portion of the blade beyond the lateral profile of the openings 
         FIG. 11  shows the blade in a fully closed orientation where the second edge portion is withdrawn from encroaching upon the lateral profile of the openings to allow a wire to pass therethrough. 
         FIG. 12A  shows another embodiment where the lateral opening has partially discrete sectors; 
         FIG. 12B  shows the embodiment in  FIG. 12A  where the blade is repositioned inwardly into the handle so the blade portion will more closely be positioned to the opposing surface; 
         FIG. 13  shows another embodiment where the lateral opening is positioned somewhat closer to the blade edge; 
         FIG. 14  shows a variation where the edge portion has a plurality of concave surfaces configured to position a wire therein; 
         FIG. 15  shows a variation where the blade and the opposing surface are configured to position a wire at various alternate diameter positions; 
         FIG. 16  shows another embodiment where the surface defining the lateral opening is operatively configured to reposition with respect to the blade; 
         FIG. 17  shows the wire positioning member positioned in closer engagement to the blade where the blade is further positioned in the side profile of the open area defined by the lateral extending surfaces; 
         FIG. 18  is taken along line  18 - 18  of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIGS. 19A-19C  show another embodiment where the blade depth adjustment system is schematically shown to adjust the amount of blade depth with respect to the lateral openings; 
         FIGS. 20A-20B  shows another embodiment of the blade depth adjustment system which is schematically shown in one form; 
         FIG. 21  shows another blade depth adjusting system utilizing a laterally extended member; 
         FIGS. 22A-22C  show various cross-sectional views taken along line  22 A- 22 A illustrating the principal of the frustoconical surface engaging a portion of the blade to adjust the depth thereof with respect to the handle; 
         FIG. 23  shows another embodiment where the laterally extending opening has an open region positioned at the longitudinal end portions of the handle member; 
         FIG. 24  shows the lateral extending opening with an open region at the blade region of the handle; 
         FIGS. 25-27  show various embodiments with different knife profiles where the laterally extended opening is positioned at a transverse central region of the handle and configured to engage the blade at a more closed orientation; 
         FIGS. 28A-28D  shows another embodiment where the handle member is comprised of two pivotally attached portions to form the laterally extended opening; 
         FIGS. 29-31  shows a wire stripping tool member which can be attached to a multitool, such as that shown in  FIG. 31 , or possibly to a pocket knife; 
         FIG. 32  shows another embodiment where a lock button bar is utilized to provide wire stripping capability; 
         FIG. 33  shows a lock back bar in closer engagement to a base portion which in one form is a metallic insert in the handle; 
         FIG. 34  shows the cam surface in engagement with the cam engagement surface of a lock bar; 
         FIG. 35  shows the blade in an extended and locked orientation; 
         FIG. 36  shows one form of providing a base portion to provide an opposing incising region to the cutting surface of the lock bar; 
         FIG. 37  shows a schematic view of one form of a leaf-like spring to provide a biasing force upon the lock bar; 
         FIGS. 38-39  shows another embodiment similar to the stripper bar assembly above where the stripper bar engages the tang surface to close the stripper bar when the knife is in the extended orientation; 
         FIG. 40  shows another embodiment where the bar strips the wire with the knife blade. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , there is a knife  20  comprising a main body/handle portion  22  and a blade  24 . To aid in the description of the knife, an axes system is defined indicated at  10  where the axis  12  indicates a longitudinal axis and the axis  14  indicates a transverse axis. Referring now to  FIG. 3 , you can see that the axis  10  comprises a lateral axis  16 . In general, the center longitudinal axis indicated at  12 ′ as shown in  FIG. 3  indicates a middle portion of the knife, where extending laterally in the direction  16  from the center axis  12 ′ indicates laterally outward directions with respect to the knife  20 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , it can be seen how the knife  20  is in a folded closed orientation.  FIG. 2  shows the blade in an open configuration. In general, the folding knife  20  is a locking knife in most forms where the knife will lock in an open orientation. In general, the blade  24  comprises a base region  30  and a forward portion  32 . The blade locking system  34  is of a general conventional design which can take a number of forms. In one form, it is a lock back design. Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the blade  24  has an edge portion  36  having a forward region  38  and a rearward region  40 . The blade further can have a second edge portion  42  positioned on the opposing transverse side of the blade  24  which in some forms as described herein can serve a purpose for providing and incising ability for the sheath portion of a wire. 
     The blade is further comprised of a lower region  31  and an upper region  33 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the main body/handle region  22  comprises a forward region  48  and a rearward region  50  as well as an outer transverse region  23  and an inner transverse region  25 . A blade attachment portion  51  is in the forward region having a pivot mount  52  where the blade  24  is pivotally attached thereto rotating about a lateral axis. Positioned in one form, in the rearward portion  50  of the main body  22 , is a plurality of surfaces  54  defining lateral openings  56 . Of course the lateral openings need not have surfaces extending exactly along the lateral axis, but generally extend in the lateral direction of the handle. The surfaces  54  are shown in the figures preceded with an alpha character “a,” “b,” and “c.” However, when referring to the surfaces for purposes of discussion for description of this main embodiment, the reference to the numeric character  54  refers to all of these common features of a preferred embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the lateral openings  56   a  through  56   c  are orientated in a manner where the edge portion  36  of the blade  24  is partially exposed along the lateral axis and “breaks” or is positioned within the perimeter profile of the lateral openings  56 . In other words, the blade has a transverse position where a portion of the blade indicated at  36   a ′- 36   c ′ is visible and breaks the plane defined by the surfaces  54   a - 54   c.    
     Of course, as described herein, the main operating ability of the folding knife  20 , is to shear off the insulation portion of a wire. In one form, when the blade is in a closed orientation as shown in  FIG. 1 , the natural closed orientation has a sufficient amount of clearance of the blade pass the lateral profile of the lateral holes to engage a certain prescribed depth of a wire inserted through holes to shear off the insulating portion. Of course, described herein are other ways of shearing off the insulating wire, such as applying a slight force to the blade to adjust the amount of penetration into the insulated portion, or alternatively using other portions of the blade such as the second edge portion  42  as described herein. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 3 , there will be a discussion of the operations of the apparatus and a method of stripping a wire. In  FIG. 3 , a wire is inserted into one of the lateral openings. In general the operator gauges the diameter of the wire dw and places the wire  64  into one of the lateral openings (if a plurality of openings are provided) that has a slightly larger diameter do (or the near the same diameter for an interference fit). The operator gauges the amount of depth he desires to remove for the installation and releases the blade to an incising orientation as shown in  FIG. 4 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the insulated wire  64  is properly positioned where the length  66  is to be removed and is positioned in one lateral region with respect to the blade  24  The operator of the tool then rotates the blade or the wire with respect to one another in a manner as indicated by the rotational vector  68  and the outer insulated portion  70  as shown in  FIG. 5 . It therefore is thereafter removed from the main portion of the insulated wire. As shown in  FIG. 5  the inner conducting portion  72 , such as the copper or other type of metal, or even perhaps other types of conductors or insulated or other types of wires having some form of stratification or an outer layer of strata is desired to be removed. 
     With the basic operation of the device in place, there will now be a discussion of other alternative embodiments with initial reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . As shown in this figure, the folding knife  20 ′ again has a main body  22 ′ and a blade portion  24 ′ in this form, the unit further has an attachment such as a strap cutter/seatbelt cutter tool  23 . Of course, other tools could be attached therewith to the handle region. In this form, the lock back portion of the blade on the main body which is going to lock stripping bar  80 . 
     Basically, the embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  show the same concept of the first embodiment in  FIGS. 1 and 2  where the lateral openings  56 ′ are positioned in a manner to operatively engage the edge portion  36 ′ as shown in  FIG. 6 . As shown in this figure, it can be appreciated that in one form, the positioning of the lateral openings  56 ′ is in the central area of the main body of the central area  82  of the main body  22 ′. Now referring to  FIG. 7 , it can be appreciated that the lock back bar/stripping bar  80  in one form is a spring-loaded like member which operates the lock portion of the blade  24 ′. In other words, the stripping bar  80  can engage or disengage at the area approximately indicated at  84  to close the blade. However, when the lock back is in the open orientation as shown in  FIG. 7 , a wire having insulation there around can be placed therein to engage one of the incising surfaces  90 a -  90 e and the corresponding handle base surface  91 . The operation of the locking mechanism of the lock back device at the area approximately indicated at  84  is well known in the art. As discussed herein there are two embodiments where the bar  80  operates as a lockback bar and another embodiment where the bar  80  operates as a safety device to prevent operation of the wire stripping process when the blade  24  is in an extended orientation. It should be noted that with a fixed blade designed, the stripper bar  80  as well as the rearward stripping device that before can be utilized where this orientation, the surfaces define the lateral openings would not be used to incise wire with the blade edge  36 ′. It should be noted that the surfaces  90  (with the corresponding alpha characters as shown in  FIG. 7 ) and the base surface indicated at  91  cooperate to incise wire were for example either one of the surfaces or accommodation thereof can actually conduct the cutting where the other surface supplies and opposing pressure thereto. 
     Now referring to the longitudinally rearward portion  92  of the handle/main body  22 ′, there is a second cutting device which could also be included in the design. In one form, the rearward stripping device  94  in one form is a UTP cutting device where the arm  96  is typically attached at the pivot attachment portion  98  and the recess portion  100  is adapted to hold a wire therein. A blade region  102  in one form is placed on the handle and is positioned in a manner to oppose the recess  100  to fit a wire therein. A spring/biasing device  104  can be provided to keep the arm  96  in a closed orientation. Of course in other forms, the lever on  FIG. 6  could be frictionally engaged to the base region at the pivot attachment portion  98 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7A - 7D , there is a closer view of the rearward stripping device  94 . In the form as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the arm  96  has the biasing device  104  positioned in front of the pivot attachment portion  98 . In this form, as shown in  FIG. 7B , the biasing device  104 , which in one form is a helical spring, will constantly place a closing torque  105  upon the lever arm  96 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 7C and 7D , there is shown another embodiment of the rearward wire stripping device  94 b, where in this form, an adjustment mechanism  107  is provided where the blade region  102 b can be positioned further outwardly to accommodate various wires, such as that schematically shown at  64 b and  64 b′. The adjustment mechanism  107  can be, for example, similar to the common system in an adjustable end wrench, or the system schematically shown in  FIGS. 7C and 7D . In one form, the area indicated at  64 b′ is the blade region for cutting the insulation. Another form of this concept is shown in  FIGS. 38-40  where there is shown another stripping device  1094  and  1194 .  FIGS. 38 and 39  show another embodiment where the cutting element  1102  is attached to the handle member  1022  and is adjustable by a variety of mechanisms known in the art. As shown in  FIG. 39 , in one form first and second retaining slots are provided at  1100 a and  1100 b. The slots can be utilized for different sizes of wire. It should be reiterated that the blade region can either be on the handle or on the arm  1096 . 
       FIG. 40  shows another variation where the cutting surface  1202  is a portion of the blade  1124 . In this form, the slots  1200 a and  1200 b can be used for holding wire therein. The arm  1196  is of the same type of arm  1096  as in the previously mentioned figures. In a preferred form, some form of a spring member  1104  and  1204  is utilized to lever the arm  1196  and  1096  to a closed orientation. 
     In operation, the operator will position a wire in the recess region and most likely pressed out of his thumb along the outer surface  106  to supply sufficient pressure to incise the wire. 
     Now looking at  FIG. 8 , there is yet another embodiment of a knife  20 ″ showing in one form a spring system  120  where the knife is in a folded orientation. In this form, the blade  24 ″ is again pivotally attached to the main body  22 ″. The spring system  120  in one form basically operates to maintain a preset force to close the blade  24 ″ to certain orientation with respect to the lateral openings  56 ″. In one form, the spring system  120  comprises a spring member  122  which can be for example biasedly positioned adjacent to a contact surface  124  of the blade  24 ″. In one form, a spring stop  126  is attached rigidly to the main body  22 ″ and basically provides a stop for some pre-tension in the spring member  122 . 
       FIG. 9  shows the blade in a folded orientation as well but in a fully closed orientation. The leaf like spring as shown in  FIG. 9 , is positioned by the second and third stops  128  and  130 . As shown in this figure, the knife in a compressed state where the blade edge portion  36 ″ is breaking the profile of the longitudinal openings  56 ″ to in a position to incise the insulation of a wire in a wire stripping orientation or close to such a position depending on the size and characteristics of the wire to be stripped. In this form, the operator can utilize a desired amount of pressure against the insulation for cutting of the same. It can be appreciated that the spring member  122  is in a compressed state in this orientation. In one form, the spring stop attachment  126  is engaged in the recessed region  132  which is defined by the recess surface  134  where the stop surface  140  of the spring stop attachment engages a base region of the recess region  132 . In this form, the spring stop attachment operates to limit the amount of penetration the knife blade encroaches and passes beyond the profile of the lateral openings  56 ″. It can be appreciated that when the operator applies a force as indicated at  144 , he can acquire a feel for how much pressure is required to overcome the pre-tension of the spring to have a desired degree of penetration on the insulation. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , there is shown yet another embodiment where it can be appreciated that another form of a spring biases member is shown. It is to be understood that a plurality of type of biasing type members can be utilized to resist the rotation of the blade to restrict the rotation of the blade in the various embodiments. Just to name a few examples, a torsional type spring could be applied, or a frictional type engagement of the blade could be utilized. A member positioned away from the rotational attachment but engaging the forward region of the blade could also possibly provide slight resistance for fully closing the blade. At any rate, it can be appreciated that any number of types of spring systems such as the system  120 ′ could be employed. Again referring to  FIG. 10 , in this form, the spring member  122 ′ in this form is more of a straight or slightly bent member but is positioned to have pretension in between the spring stop attachment  126 ′ as well as the stops  128 ′ and  130 ′. Of course this type of spring arrangement could also be utilized with the embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 8-9 . However, referring back to  FIG. 10 , there is shown another form where blade  224  again has an edge portion  236 . However, the blade  224  further has a second edge portion  242  positioned in the rearward region  233  which in this form is sharpened sufficiently to incise plastic insulation or the outer portion of a wire. Basically, in one form of operating the user applies a force as indicated by the vector  244  to reposition the blade  224  and a compressed state where the blade is basically compressed in a similar manner as shown in the in  FIG. 11 . In this form, the second edge portion  242  is biased inwardly so a wire can be placed therein through the lateral openings  256 . Thereafter, the operator can release the force placed upon the blade with respect to the main body  222  and the tension/stored energy of the spring system  120 ′ will bias the blade to a cutting orientation where the second edge portion  242  engages the insulation of a wire inserted through one of the openings  256 . In alternative forms, a variable resistance blade could be utilized where say for example one of the stop members  126 ′,  128 ′ or  130 ′ can be repositioned (or more than one can be repositioned) to provide a variable amount of resistance. For example, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the stop member  130 ′ can be repositioned in a clockwise manner to provide more tension upon the spring member  122 ′, or alternatively (or in conjunction therewith) the stop member  126 ′ could be repositioned with respect to the main body  222  to limit the amount of travel and depth of the interference of then second edge portion  242  with respect to the lateral profile of the lateral openings  256  defined of course by surfaces. It should be noted that in this form, the edge portion  236  is free to remain sharp for various tools while the second edge portion  242  is utilized for stripping wire. 
     When the blade is in a closed orientation, this is defined to be a natural resting type of orientation with a blade positioned within the handle, or an orientation where pressure is applied to the blade to reposition the blade edge with respect to the lateral profile of the lateral openings. 
     Of course, it should be further noted that the lateral openings may not be perfectly in the lateral direction, but generally extend and have a lateral component thereof. The general purpose of the lateral openings is to allow a wire to pass therethrough to have the portion of the wire incised (or in some cases have the entire wire cut by using, for example, the embodiment in  FIG. 10 ). It should be further noted that as shown in  FIG. 10 , when the knife is in an open orientation, the blade  224  can be closed with an object such a wire extended through one of the lateral openings  256  whereby the edge portion  236  can be utilized to completely cut through (or least cut a desired length) of the object, such as the wire extended therethrough. 
     There will now be a description of additional embodiments, where similar components will be numbered with similar numerals in the last two digits, and in certain situations followed by letter characters to show the various possibilities which are presented by way of a sampling of numerous types of modifications. Now referring to  FIG. 12 , there is shown a wire stripping knife  320  having a main body  322  and the blade  324 . The lateral opening  356  is defined by the surface  354 . In this form, a surface  354  defines extensions  355 a -  355 c, which show one form of dividing the opening  356  into a plurality of partially discrete sectors. As shown in  FIG. 12B , slope portions are sufficient to maintain a wire member contained therein.  FIG. 12B  shows the positive and negative surfaces  357  and  359  forming a partially concave region to hold a wire therein and maintain its position in one of the sectors during the wire stripping process. As further shown in  FIG. 12A and 12B , in one form when the user applies an external force  344 , the blade  324  will reposition toward the surface  354  for a proper depth in sizing the insulation portion of the wire. 
       FIG. 13  shows a slight variation where the surface  354   a  defining the opening  356   a  is positioned closer to the blade  336   a . In this form, upon the natural closing of the blade, with respect to the main housing  322   a , the blade portion  336   a  is within the extended partially circular surface  354   a ′. In other words, by extending the surface  354   a ′ into a full circle, the circle would intersect the blade portion  336   a.    
     Now referring to  FIG. 14 , there is shown another variation where the edge portion  336   b  has a plurality of concave surfaces  336   b ′ which are adapted to house a wire member therein. It should be noted that in one form of the various embodiments, the laterally open surface decreases in its lateral width to accommodate various-sized wires to be passed therethrough. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 15 , it can be seen that the surface  354   c  has discrete regions having the extensions  355 . As further shown in this form, there are regions  336   c ′ on the blade  324   c  which correspond in location to the opposing concave grooves  354   c ′ which are operatively configured to house a wire member therein. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 16 - 18 , there is shown a wire stripping knife  420 . Referring ahead to  FIG. 18 , it can be appreciated that the wire positioning member  477  is movably attached with respect to a main housing where the laterally extending surface  454  defines the openings  456  which are adapted to have a wire member pass therethrough. As shown in  FIG. 17 , by applying a force  444 , the upper portion of the surface  454  (such as that shown in  FIG. 18 ) is forced downward so any wire positioned therein is in engagement with the edge portion  436  of the blade  424 . As shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the surface  457  defines a lateral opening to access the interior surfaces  454  of the wire positioning member  477 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , it can be appreciated that the end portions  430  in form are biased in the more open orientation where the openings  456  are positioned away from the edge portion of the blade  424 . However, in other forms, the spring member can be biased in the opposite direction where an external force pries the openings away from the blade so that the blade does not occupy the cross-sectional space. Further, the wire positioning member can extend in the area at  431  to provide a lock-back future for the knife. Therefore, this can function as a lock-back mechanism to lock the knife in an open orientation, which is common in the art. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 19A-19C , there is a wire stripping tool member  520  where there is a blade depth adjustment system  537 . In one form, the blade adjustment system can be for example a screw member  539 , which is threadedly engaged to the main body  522 . In this form, the tip region  541  can, for example, be a mylar or other tip which would not mar the edge portion of the blade. As shown in  FIG. 19C , by positioning the adjustment member outward, the edge portion  536  has deeper engagement within the profile of the lateral openings  556 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 20A and 20B , there is shown an adjustment system  537 a, which in this form has an adjustment member  539 a positioned at a longitudinally inward portion of the blade  524 . As shown in  FIG. 520 , in this form, the tip portion  541  can disengage from the region of the blade indicated at  530 , which in one form is not part of the sharpened portion of the blade. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 21-22C , there is shown another form of a blade depth adjustment system  537   b . Referring to  FIGS. 22A-22C , in this form, the adjustment member  539   b  is operatively configured to reposition longitudinally inwardly and outwardly. For example, in  FIG. 22A , the frustoconical engagement portion  541   b  is configured to engage the portion of the surface  531   b  of the blade  524   b . As the adjustment member  539   b  is repositioned laterally outwardly, it can be appreciated, as shown in  FIG. 22C , that the blade  524   b  can be repositioned further toward the lateral openings  556   b  as shown in  FIG. 21 . Of course in another form, the adjustment member can be positioned on the opposing region of the blade, where in a spring-loaded like assembly it can be retracted for extraction of the blade and positioned laterally inwardly to engage the blade to bias the toward the lateral openings. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 23 - 27 , there is shown another form of the wire stripping knife  620 , where a main body has the surface  654  which is positioned at the longitudinally end portion  621  of the main body  622 . In this form, the surface  654  defines an open region  661 , which is configured to have an insulated wire enter therethrough. In one form, the extensions  655  have adjacent forward and rearward slanting surfaces similar to that shown in  FIGS. 12A - 15 , which are configured to maintain the position of the wire therein to be rotated within the partially cylindrical surface  663 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 24 , the surface  654  defining the lateral opening basically is a lateral opening with respect to the adjacent portions of the handle indicated at  665  and  667 , where these portions of surfaces can be at least partially coplanar in a straighter arced-like plane. As shown in  FIG. 25 , the wire engagement region  669  of the surface  654  define the lateral opening  656  is positioned further within the main body  622  in the transverse direction.  FIGS. 26 and 27  show other configurations of the blade member  624   a  and  624   b , which can have a different desirable cutting effect upon the wire positioned therein. Because of the open region  671  located in the first transverse region  673 , the wire is positioned in the lateral opening  656 , and as shown in  FIGS. 25 and 27 , the curvature of the blade member  636   a  and  636   b  can be in various forms to have different cutting effects upon the wire positioned therein. 
     It should be further noted that any embodiment, such as that shown in  FIGS. 25-27 , can also be utilized for cutting wire as well as other objects, such as small branches for a gardening purpose, where the lateral outward surface of the knife is grasped to provide a closing force, thereby incising any object contained within the lateral opening  656 . For example, as a conventional pocket knife utility, when it is necessary to snip the end of a plant such as a rose bush, the user can place a rose stem in the lateral opening such (as shown at  656  in  FIG. 25 ) to cut the end portions. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 28A-28D , there is shown another embodiment where the wire stripping knife  720  comprises a main body  722 , which has portions  722   a  and  722   b . As shown in  FIG. 28C , the portion  722   a  and  722   b  are pivotally attached at the portions  752   a  and  752   b  to the blade member  724 . Referring to (for example) one of the main body sections  722   b , there is the laterally extending surface  754  defining the laterally extending opening  756 . It can be appreciated that this embodiment is similar to a balisong knife which is sometimes referred to as a butterfly knife. However, it can be appreciated that the user can grab the knife in the open orientation, such as that shown in  FIG. 28D , and reorientate the knife to a closed position, such as that shown in  FIGS. 28A and 28B . For example, in the partially fully closed orientation as shown in  FIG. 28B , the wire can be inserted at this orientation, or previously inserted through the longitudinal end portion  777 , where as the two handle members are slightly spread apart, the wire can be positioned therein. Thereafter, the user can clasp the main body portion  722   a  and  722   b  to a fully closed orientation where the edge portion  736  breaks a profile of the lateral openings  756 . 
     Of course, in other forms, the lateral openings could be positioned at the opposing region of the blade member  724 , such as that indicated in the region  779 . In this form, the secondary blade region can be utilized to do the wire stripping, such as that shown in a similar concept in the embodiments in  FIG. 10 and 11  above. In this form, the holes can be completely surrounded at the region  779  where the width of the handle portions can be adjusted so the engagement region between the handles indicated at  71  is positioned at this opposing region of the blade  724 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 29-31 , there is another embodiment where the tool member  826  is show.  FIG. 31  shows a multitool  820  which in one form is a compound multitool such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,282,997, which is incorporated herein by reference. Of course, other types of multitools which are not compound linked can be utilized as well. As shown in  FIG. 31 , the tool member  826  is in an extended orientation. The lock bar  830  in one form is engaging a lock surface  832  such as that shown in  FIG. 29 . In one form, when the first and second tool members  834  and  836  are separated when the first and second members are in the open orientation, the lock surfaces  832   a  and  832   b  as shown in  FIG. 30  are arranged so the first member locks and the lock surface  832   a  has a greater rotational width than the lock surface  832   b . Therefore, as shown in  FIG. 31 , when the tool  826  is extracted (in one form by engaging the surface defining the slot  833 ), the lock surface  832   b  of the second member  836  is in a locked orientation where the extending notch of the lock member  830  holds the member in that extended orientation. It can be appreciated that the lock surface  832   a  has a sufficient tangential width to be in an open orientation as shown in  FIG. 30 , or a closed orientation as shown in  FIG. 29 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 30 , it can be seen that the tool member  826  is comprised of a first member  834  and a second member  836 . Each of the members has a wire retaining surface  840  and  842  whereby different gauge wires can be placed therein and the display interface  844  indicates the gauge of the wire to be stripped. Either or both of the cutting surfaces  840  and  842  can be utilized to cut the insulation of a wire. In other words, one of the surfaces  840  or  842  can actually cut the wire or both of the surfaces can be used to cut the wire. The first and second tool members are operatively configured to be closed to an orientation such as that shown in  FIG. 29  to incise the outer sheath of the wire and strip it in a conventional manner. Of course, in other forms, the tool member  826  can be supplied not only in a multitool but also in a folding knife, or more preferably a folding knife with a knife member and other tools, such as a common multi-function knife. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 32-37 , there is shown another embodiment which refers back to the concept of incorporating a wire stripping embodiment with a lock back bar in somewhat similar manner as that shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  described above. 
     As shown in  FIG. 32  there is a knife  920  having a wire engagement region  921 , a main body  922  and a blade member  924 . The main body  922  has a base portion  925 , which as shown in  FIG. 36  in one form is a metallic structure attached to the handle region. The base structure has a cutting portion  927  which is operatively configured to cooperate with the cutting portion  982  of the lock back bar  980  described further herein. In one form, the base portion  925  such as a liner has a surface defining a slot  955  which is configured to engage the spring member which in one form is a leaf spring  957  shown in  FIG. 37 . In one form, the lateral flange  959  engages the slot  955 , and the bar engaging region  961  provides a biasing force on the lock back bar (see  FIGS. 32-35 ). 
     Therefore, it can be appreciated that the base portion  925  in one form has first and second handle portions positioned on lateral portions of the handle. The lateral flange portions  959  as shown in  FIG. 37  of the spring member  957  are defined as first and second portions to operate as a base portion configured to be seated within the receiving slots  955  as shown in  FIG. 36  (where two base members  925  would be utilized and positioned on either side of the blade  924  when the blade is in a closed orientation). As shown in  FIG. 33 , it can be appreciated that the spring member  957  is interposed between the lock back bar and the blade. The base portion, which in one form is the flange member  959 , is positioned entirely between the lock back bar and the blade in the longitudinal direction as shown in  FIG. 33 . This orientation is advantageous because the rearward portion of the knife is not needed to be utilized to mount the spring member to bias the lock back bar. The metallic lining inserts as shown in  FIG. 36 , which in one form is the base portion  925 , can further be utilized to provide a pivot attachment point  977  for the blade member as well as a pivot attachment point  979  for the lock back bar. 
     As is further shown in  FIG. 35 , it can be appreciated that the base portion  959 ′, which in one form is defined by the lateral tabs  959  shown in  FIG. 37 , is positioned closer to the lock back pivot location  979  which in one form is defined by the base portion  925 . It should be noted that the spring member  957 , which is a cantilevered-like spring, can be much shorter and positioned closer to the pivot attachment location  979 . For example, the bar engaging region  961  as shown in  FIG. 35  is positioned relatively close to the pivot attachment location  979 . In other words, the distance between the locations  961  and  979  can be, for example, less than half the total length of the lock back bar in the longitudinal direction and in a preferred form less than one third to  16  of the total length of the lock back bar. Another way of defining the engagement portion  961  with respect to the lock back bar is that the force applied to the lock back bar by the spring is at a location that is less than twice the distance from the pivot point  979  to the engagement between a cam engagement surface and the notch  939 . As shown in  FIG. 35 , the distance is approximately at a ratio of  1 :  1 . In general, by having the base portion  959 ′ closer to the central portion of the handle, as opposed to attaching it in the longitudinally rearward portion indicated at  922 ′ in  FIG. 35 , allows for the rearward portion to have an attachment such as the stripping bar discussed above. 
     The blade member  924  has a base region  931  with a cam surface  933 . As shown in  FIGS. 32-35 , the cam surface  933  has a varying distance from the center of rotation  935 . For example, the surface  933  comprises the radial outward portion  937  and the notch  939 . 
     Referring now to the lock bar  980 , it can be appreciated that the lock bar  980  has the cutting surface  982  which is adapted to engage the insulation portion of a wire. Now referring to  FIG. 33 , it can be appreciated that a lock bar has a force placed thereon indicated by the vector  981  and the cutting surface  982  and is in closer engagement to the cutting surface  983  of the base portion  925 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 33 , it can be appreciated that the cam engagement surface  985  of the lock back bar  980  is disengaged from the cam surface  933  and the blade is more free to rotate to an open orientation such as that shown in  FIG. 34 . Of course, the blades can overcome the stored energy of the leaf spring member  957  by way of having the radial outward portion  937  rotate the lock back bar  980 . As shown in  FIG. 35 , the blade is in an extended orientation where the extension with the cam engagement surface  985  is in engagement with the notch  939  of the blade  924 . Of course, the wire engagement region  921  can be utilized by the operator to strip the wire with the blade in an extended or retracted orientation as shown in  FIG. 33 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 38 , the stripper bar  1080  is in an open orientation, and in this form, the stripper bar is pivotally attached at  1085  to a cross-pin or other similar structure. The stripper bar  1080  has an extension  1087  which in one form is positioned on the opposing region in the longitudinal direction of the pivot portion  1085  from the surfaces  1090  and  1091 . As shown in  FIG. 38 , it can be appreciated that the stripper bar  1080  can be orientated into a transverse outward direction as well as a transverse inward direction by applying a force upon the outer surface  1089 . As noted above, the surfaces  1090  and  1091  cooperate to incise the wire for stripping purposes where either or both can incise a wire such that the opposing surface supplies a counter-force to position and aid in cutting the insulation. In another form, the surfaces are used for cutting the wire or other objects. For example, the surfaces may engage one another or intersect in a shearing action at the longitudinally forward location  1091 ′ and  1090 ′. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 39 , it can be appreciated that the stripper bar  1080  is in a closed orientation and the blade  1024  is in an extended orientation. The extension  1087  is engaging the cam surface  1033  so the stripper bar  1080  is in a closed orientation and is not able to open when the knife blade  1024  is in the open orientation. 
     While the present invention is illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments are described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications within the scope of the appended claims will readily appear to those sufficed in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants&#39; general concept.