Patent ID: 7017234

Claim:
A folding tool having at least one tool blade and at least one handle connected thereto with at least one lockable hinge, said lockable hinge comprising: a center hinge rod; two hinge assembly components, each comprising a hinge platform and at least one hinge paw attached thereto, said hinge paws each forming a cylindrical opening which is rotationally attached to said center hinge rod so that said hinge paws are adjacent to each other and can rotate in opposite directions; retaining means to keep said hinge assembly components in position, with said cylindrical openings of said hinge paws rotationally attached to said hinge rod; and mechanical means in said center hinge rod for automatically locking said hinge paws to said center hinge rod when said hinge assembly components are rotated so that they form a single plane or align at a predetermined acute angle.