Patent ID: 7181849

Claim:
An actuator mechanism for use in conjunction with a folding tool that facilitates the pivotal movement of an implement of the folding tool between a closed position wherein the implement is at least partially contained within a handle of the folding tool and an open position wherein the implement is extended from the handle in a position for use, the actuator mechanism comprising: a tang at the base of the implement, the tang (i) having a longitudinal axis, (ii) including a bore extending therein along the longitudinal axis with an axis of the bore being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and (iii) being pivotally coupled with the handle along a pivot axis for movement between the open and closed positions, the pivot axis being generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; a pushing element with opposing first and second ends, the pushing element being adapted to slide partially in and out the bore along the bore axis as the implement is moved from its open and closed positions; a shaft, the shaft (i) being pivotally coupled with the pushing element and (ii) extending longitudinally in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and at least one generally arcuate slot with at least a portion of the shaft extending through the slot, the slot having a front end and a rear end; whereby the actuator moves the implement between the open and closed positions in reaction to the sliding of the shaft along the at least one arcuate slot from one of the front and rear ends to the other of the front and rear ends.