Year: 1887

page_text: 1, EBEN MOODY BOYNTON, of the Town of West Newbury, State of Massachusetts,
United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
scertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to that class of pocket knives in which the blade or blades is
or are arranged to slide in and out of the handle; it relates more especially to the
devices by which the blade is held firmly in the desired position in which it has
been placed.
In order to make my invention more clearly understood I have shown in the
accompanying drawings a means for carrying it into effect.
In said drawings :-
Fig. 1, is a side view of a knife embodying my invention.
Fig. 2, is a top view of the same.
Fig. 3, is a longitudinal central section parallel with the blade, the latter being
retracted.
Fig. 4, is a similar view with the blade protruded.
Fig. 5, is a diagram of the spring catch and retaining recess.
Fig. 6, is a side view of a portion of a different form of blade adapted to allow of
a better action of the spring.
Fig. 7, is a view of the blade and spring detached.
Fig. 8, is a perspective view.
Fig. 9, is a sectional; and
Fig. 10, a plan view showing another arrangement of the blade.
Fig. 11, is a side view showing the retaining devices arranged upon the side of
the handle.
A represents the handle, and B the blade or blades of the knife adapted to slide
longitudinally in the same. D is a spring, flat and substantially rectangular in cross
section, which is attached to the blade or blades near the base thereof, projects
through a longitudinal slot E in the handle and carries at its upper end an operating
knob G.

page_text: C indicates a retaining recess, communicating with the slot E, and is adapted to
receive the spring D when the blade is protruded, and hold the same firmly in
position.
Opposite to the said recess is a projection F which operates, as will be seen from
an inspection of figure 5, to force the spring into the recess and there retain it. The
front shoulder of the projection F is inclined as shown so that the spring may slide
up readily into the recess, but the corresponding shoulder c of the recess forms an
abrupt angle adapted to retain the spring from longitudinal motion except when
intentionally given that direction and movement which will disengage it.
As seen from figure 5, this is a tortional movement and one not at all likely to be
given by accident.
Ordinarily two blades will be combined on the same shank, and two recesses (!
provided, one at each end of the slot. A similar recess is preferably provided at or
near the middle of the handle to keep the blades closed. The slot may be made in the
side of the handle, as shown in figure 11.
The spring D is secured in the blade by a dovetail as shown.
In order to get a greater flexibility of spring which is desirable where its action is
tortional the blade may be recessed as shown at b.
The spring may be made in two parts recessed by a dovetail into each side of the
blade as shown in figure 7. It is manifest that eight blades, or a less number, may
be thus inserted, and a combination of nut pick, nail cleaner, button hook, cork screw,
or other pointed instruments, or pencil, can be combined and sheathed in the same
manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is;
1st. In a pocket knife the hollow longitudinally slotted handle, in combination
with the sliding blade having a spring catch, the slot being notched and provided
with a curve or incline for forcing the catch into the notch, substantially as set
forth.
2nd. In a pocket knife the hollow longitudinally slotted handle in combination
with the sliding blade having a flat spring situated in the same plane as the blade and
projecting in line therewith through the slot, the latter being notched substantially as
set forth.
Dated this 22nd day of November 1887.
HERBERT J. ALLISON,
Agent for the Applicant.