Patent ID: 7051441

Claim:
A folding tool comprising: a handle defining a proximal end and a distal end, said handle including a first handle scale and a second handle scale; at least one spacing element disposed between and adapted to engage each of said first handle scale and said second handle scale, said at least one spacing element being provided for spacing said first handle scale and said second handle scale apart, said at least one spacing element including at least a distal end spacing element; a first liner and a second liner, said first liner being disposed between said first handle scale and said at least one spacing element, said second liner being disposed between said second handle scale and said at least one spacing element; a tool receptor defined between said first handle scale and said second handle scale; a tool element carried by said handle, said tool element defining a tang at a proximal end for securing said tool element to said distal end of said handle, said tool element being limited to pivotal movement between a closed position at which at least a portion of said tool element is received within said tool receptor and an open position at which said tool element is withdrawn from said tool receptor, said tool element tang defining a through opening configured to receive said distal end spacing element, said distal end spacing element further being provided to serve as a bearing for said tool element for facilitating pivotal movement thereof; a proximal end spacing element disposed between said first handle scale and said second handle scale at said handle proximal end; and a leaf spring for assisting in rotating said tool element to said open position, said leaf spring defining an elongated, arcuate configuration having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end of said leaf spring being carried by said proximal end spacing element, said distal end of said leaf spring being adapted to engage said tang of said tool element, said leaf spring defining a bias toward said tool element.