Knife with integral locking and releasing

Abstract

A knife (10) includes a handle (14) having a first trim (30) coupled to a second trim (34), the first and second trim cooperatively defining a pocket (50) and a slot; a blade assembly pivotally coupled to the handle; and a locking and releasing mechanism (18). A locking and releasing mechanism is at least partially disposed in the recess and is defined by a unitary element. The locking and releasing mechanism includes a base portion (58) and a resilient portion (62) extending from the base portion. The base portion is coupled to the handle and the resilient portion is movable relative to the base portion between a rest position and a pressed position to change the blade assembly between a closed position and an open position.

Description

Background Art

[0001] The present disclosure relates to knives, and more particularly to folding knives having an integral or one-piece compression lock and release. Utility Model Content

[0002] In one aspect, the present invention provides a knife comprising: a handle having a first trim coupled to a second trim, the first trim and the second trim cooperatively defining a recess and a slot; a blade assembly pivotally coupled to the handle; and a locking and release mechanism. The locking and release mechanism is at least partially disposed in the recess and is defined by a unitary component. The locking and release mechanism includes a base portion and a resilient portion extending from the base portion. The base portion is coupled to the handle, and the resilient portion is movable relative to the base portion between a rest position and a depressed position to change the blade assembly between a closed position and an open position.

[0003] In another aspect, the knife includes a handle having a first trim coupled to a second trim. The first trim and the second trim define a recess and a slot therebetween. The knife also includes a blade assembly pivotally coupled to the handle and defining a recess, the locking and release mechanism being at least partially disposed in the recess. The locking and release mechanism is defined by an integral element and has a base portion coupled to the handle and a resilient portion extending from the base portion. The resilient portion has a stop protruding from the resilient portion that engages the recess when the blade assembly is in the closed position. The resilient portion is movable relative to the base portion between a rest position and a depressed position to cause the blade assembly to change between a closed position and an open position.

[0004] Other aspects of the present invention will become apparent by studying the detailed description, claims, and drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present technology and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present technology. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Figure 1 The utility model is a three-dimensional view showing a multi-purpose knife according to the present invention, which includes a body, a handle and a locking and releasing mechanism. The body includes a blade holder, and the handle has a first decorative piece and a second decorative piece opposite to the first decorative piece.

[0006] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic top view of a utility knife.

[0007] Figure 3A yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the locking and release mechanism of a utility knife.

[0008] Figure 3B yes Figure 1 Another perspective view of the locking and release mechanism of the utility knife.

[0009] Figure 3C yes Figure 1 Another perspective view of the locking and release mechanism of the utility knife.

[0010] Figure 3D yes Figure 1 Another perspective view of the locking and release mechanism of the utility knife.

[0011] Figure 4A yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a portion of a utility knife showing the blade holder locked in the open position.

[0012] Figure 4B yes Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of a utility knife with the blade holder in a locked, open position.

[0013] Figure 4C yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional perspective view of a utility knife with the blade holder in an unlocked, open position.

[0014] Figure 4D yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a portion of a utility knife with the blade holder in a locked, open position.

[0015] Figure 5A yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a utility knife with the blade holder in a closed or non-use position.

[0016] Figure 5B is a perspective view of the utility knife of FIG. 4 with the first trim piece removed to illustrate the blade holder in a closed position.

[0017] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 Front view of a utility knife.

[0018] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a portion of the blade holder of a utility knife. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Before explaining any embodiment of the present invention in detail, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited in its application to the details of the arrangement and construction of the components set forth in the following description or shown in the accompanying drawings. The present invention is capable of other embodiments and can be practiced or implemented in various ways.

[0020] Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. For example, although Figure 1 The illustrated embodiment discloses a utility knife, but the present invention also encompasses applying the disclosed technology to pocket knives and other types of folding knives (e.g., folding knives with fixed or non-removable blades).

[0021] Any implementation described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the technology without departing from the scope or spirit of the claimed technology.

[0022] The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms "coupled," "fixed," "attached to," and the like refer to direct coupling, fixing, or attachment, as well as indirect coupling, fixing, or attachment through one or more intermediate components or features, unless otherwise specified herein. As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "has," "having," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of features is not necessarily limited to only those features but may include other features not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive or and not an exclusive or. For example, any of the following satisfies condition A or B: A is true (or exists) and B is false (or does not exist), A is false (or does not exist) and B is true (or exists), and both A and B are true (or exist).

[0023] Approximate terms such as "about," "substantially," "approximately," or "substantially" include values ​​within 10% greater or less than the stated value. When used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include values ​​within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction. For example, "substantially vertical" includes directions within ten degrees of vertical in any direction (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise).

[0024] The following describes benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems with respect to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any features that may yield or make apparent any benefit, advantage, or solution should not be construed as critical, required, or essential features of any or all the claims.

[0025] Figure 1An exemplary utility knife 10 is shown that includes a handle 14, a locking and release mechanism 18, and a blade holder 22 that supports a blade 26. The handle 14 is contoured to provide a comfortable grip on the utility knife 10 and includes a first scale 30 and a second scale 34 that are coupled together by a fastener 38 (e.g., rivets, bolts, etc.) and optionally also by a fastener or pin 42 that defines a pivot axis for the blade holder 22. A clip 46 can be coupled to the second scale 34 to support the utility knife 10 on a belt or other structure. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the first trim piece 30 and the second trim piece 34 collectively define an open-topped recess 50 located between the first trim piece 30 and the second trim piece 34 .

[0026] The locking and release mechanism 18 is at least partially disposed in the recess 50. Figure 1 、 Figures 3A to 3D and Figure 5A As shown, the locking and release mechanism 18 cooperates with the second trim panel 34 to retain the cartridge 22 in the closed and open positions. The locking and release mechanism 18 includes a base portion 58 and a resilient portion 62 extending from the base portion 58. Figure 1 and Figure 3D The base portion 58 is shown coupled to the second trim piece 34 (e.g., via fasteners 38 and pins 42). The base portion 58 defines a compression lock that holds the cartridge 22 in the open and closed positions. The second trim piece 34 is shown having a cutout 64 so that the base portion 58 can be received and nested within the second trim piece 34. Figure 3D , the second trim piece 34 also includes a stop 65 (e.g., having a hemispherical shape) extending inwardly into the recess 50. In some examples, the stop 65 can be provided on the first trim piece 30. It will be appreciated that there can be one or more stops 65 on either the first trim piece 30 or the second trim piece 34, or one or more stops 65 on each of the first trim piece 30 and the second trim piece 34. The resilient portion 62 shown is defined by a cutout stamped from the base portion 58 and has a flexible bridge 66 connected to the base portion 58 near the upper side of the locking and release mechanism 18 (e.g., Figure 3A That is, the base portion 58 and the resilient portion 62 define a unitary or one-piece compression lock and release mechanism 18.

[0027] refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figures 3A to 3D, a button 70 is connected to the flexible bridge 66 and extends upwardly through the opening to the recess 50, and a nose portion 72 is provided on the distal end of the flexible bridge 66. The nose portion includes a hole 73 through which the stop 65 protrudes. The button 70 is formed as part of the same integral piece (e.g., steel) as the entire locking and release mechanism 18. That is, the button 70 is formed integrally with the locking and release mechanism 18 and is resiliently movable to move the base portion 58 to lock and unlock the blade holder 22. Reference Figure 2 , the flexible bridge 66 extends out of plane relative to the base portion 58 (i.e., relative to a plane 73 extending along the length of the base portion 58), such that the button 70 is positioned laterally relative to the base portion 58 and can be pressed by a user to allow the cartridge 22 to move between the open and closed positions. It will be appreciated that due to the angular nature of the flexible bridge 66 relative to the plane 73 extending along the base portion 58, the button 70 (and more generally the resilient portion 62) is also biased laterally outward from the base portion 58.

[0028] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the blade holder 22 includes a front chuck face 74 and a rear chuck face 78 that can be coupled together by a plurality of fasteners 82 (e.g., press-fit pins, rivets, etc.). A thumb post 86 can additionally couple the front chuck face 74 to the rear chuck face 78. The thumb post 86 extends beyond the lateral extent of the front chuck face 74 and the rear chuck face 78 and is adjacent to and can abut the handle 14 when the blade holder 22 is in the open position. Figures 4A to 5B , the rear chuck face 78 includes a recess 90 defined by a first engagement surface 92 and a second engagement surface 94. As shown, the second engagement surface 94 includes a ramp or angled portion 95 along which the resilient portion 62 can more easily slide or move toward the base portion 58 to allow the cartridge 22 to move from or to the closed position. Figure 4D , the rear chuck face 78 has a recess or depression 80 adjacent the fastener 38 (e.g., defining a nest for the stop 65). In the closed position, the locking and release mechanism 18 biases the stop 65 into the depression 80 due to the spring-like bias of the resilient portion 62 relative to the base portion 58. When the cartridge 22 is in the unlocked, open position, as shown Figure 4A and Figure 4BAs shown, the resilient portion 62 (more specifically, the nose portion 72) of the locking and release mechanism 18 is disposed in a recess 90 and is engageable with a first engagement surface 92 and a second engagement surface 94. The first engagement surface 92 is engageable with or by the nose portion 72 to minimize or inhibit excessive rotation of the blade holder 22, and the second engagement surface 94 is engageable with or by the resilient portion 62 to retain the blade holder 22 in the open position. The spacing between the first and second engagement recesses and the resilient portion 62 is minimized in the open position to limit or prevent 'play' between the blade holder 22 and the handle 14. In the open position, a gap 96 is defined between the resilient portion 62 and the second trim 34. The lateral depth of the gap 96 generally corresponds to the distance that the resilient portion 62 and the button 70 are laterally offset from the base portion 58.

[0029] refer to Figure 4C , the blade holder 22 is in the unlocked, open position (i.e., before the blade holder 22 is moved to the closed position). As shown, by actuating the button 70 laterally toward the second trim piece 34, the nose portion 72 has been removed from the recess 90, which allows the blade holder 22 to pivot to the closed position. In some embodiments, the blade holder 22 includes a notch 98 located below the recess 90 (when opened from the Figure 4A 98) to engage the fastener 38 when the cartridge 22 is in the closed position. When the cartridge 22 is in the closed position, the pin 42 can be captured in the notch 98 to hold the cartridge 22 in the closed position in the absence of force on the button 70. The pin 42 can also serve as a rotation stop for the blade 26 and / or cartridge 22. By compressing the resilient portion 62 between the cartridge 22 and the pin 42 10 when the knife is opened, the pin 42 can prevent the lock and release mechanism 18 from being overcome or damaged.

[0030] like Figure 6 As shown, the front clamp face 74 and the rear clamp face 78 define a cavity 100. Figure 1 and Figure 7 , the blade 26 is partially disposed in the cavity 100 and is removably coupled to the blade holder 22. As shown, the blade 26 can be a typical utility blade having an alignment recess 102 on the upper edge of the blade 26 to align the blade 26 in the cavity 100. Further reference Figure 7The blade cartridge 22 includes a key 110 coupled to the blade cartridge 22 and in communication with the cavity 100. The key 110 includes a retaining feature 114 that is biased to extend from the key 110 toward the alignment recess 102 to secure the blade 26 in the cavity 100. Each of the retaining features 114 includes an angled surface 118 that defines a slope from the opening to the cavity 100 toward the rear of the blade cartridge 22, such that the blade 26 is configured to push against the bias of the retaining feature 114 to facilitate insertion and attachment of the blade 26 along the insertion direction D1. After the alignment recess 102 is aligned with the retaining feature 114, the retaining feature 114 rebounds to engage and retain the blade 26. The blade 26 can be inserted into the blade cartridge 22 along the insertion direction D1. The key 110 can be moved cooperatively by the blade 26 and the user via the boss 122, or only by the user via the boss 122. The boss 122 can be released to lock the blade 26 in the cartridge 22, and the boss 122 can be depressed to disengage the retention feature 114 from the blade 26, thereby facilitating removal of the blade 26.

[0031] Due to the lateral bias on the resilient portion 62 relative to the base portion 58, the stop 65 engages the cartridge 22 within the recess 80 to hold the cartridge 22 in the closed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the pin 42 engages the notch 98 to further hold the cartridge in the closed position. It will be appreciated that either the stop-nest feature or the pin-notch feature may be provided with or without other features to hold the cartridge 22 in the closed position.

[0032] To move the blade holder 22 from the closed position to the open position, the user presses the button 70 to disengage the pin 42 from the notch 98. (For example, laterally toward the second trim 34) Pressing the button 70 also removes the stop 65 from the recess 80 in the blade holder 22, allowing the blade holder 22 to be flipped open by a movement of the user's wrist. Pressing the button 70 to open the knife 10 is only necessary when the user wishes to flip the blade holder 22 open. Alternatively, the blade holder 22 can be moved to the open position by pulling on the blade holder 22 to overcome the force of the lock and release mechanism 18 pushing the stop 65 into the recess 80. Without force on the button 70, the lock and release mechanism 18 is in a static state that holds the blade holder 22 in the closed position. After the blade holder 22 has been rotated or pivoted to the open position, the blade 26 can be used to cut various materials. To close the blade holder 22, the user pushes the button 70 laterally in a direction generally intersecting the plane 73 and toward the second trim 34 (e.g., along the angled portion 95) so that the resilient portion 62 is aligned with the gap 96 (and is generally coplanar with the base portion 58), which allows the rear end of the blade holder 22 to clear the locking and release mechanism 18 and rotate or pivot to the closed position in which the pin 42 reengages the notch 98 and the stop 65 is biased into the recess 80.

[0033] Although Figures 1 to 7 The embodiment shown in the figure depicts a folding utility knife, but it should be understood that other types of knives may also include other features described in the present disclosure, such as pocket knives or other knives with fixed (e.g., non-removable) blades. In such fixed knife embodiments, the blade 26 and blade holder 22 may be replaced, for example, by a fixed blade assembly (which may simply be a blade) that can operate in other ways and interact with the locking and release mechanism 18 and trims 30, 34, as described herein, and adapted to accommodate the fixed blade assembly as needed.

[0034] Various features of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A knife, comprising: a handle comprising a first trim piece coupled to a second trim piece, the first and second trim pieces defining a recess and a slot therebetween; a blade assembly pivotally coupled to the handle; as well as a locking and releasing mechanism at least partially disposed in the recess, the locking and releasing mechanism being defined by a unitary member and comprising a base portion and a resilient portion extending from the base portion, the base portion being coupled to the handle and the resilient portion being movable relative to the base portion between a rest position and a depressed position to change the blade assembly between a closed position and an open position.

2. The knife according to claim 1, wherein The resilient portion extends laterally relative to the base portion when the resilient portion is in the rest position, and wherein the resilient portion is substantially coplanar with the base portion when the resilient portion is in the depressed position.

3. The knife according to claim 1, wherein The resilient portion engages the blade assembly in the open position to retain the blade assembly in the open position, and wherein the resilient portion is engageable with the blade assembly in the closed position to retain the blade assembly in the closed position.

4. The knife according to claim 3, wherein The locking and releasing mechanism further includes a stopper protruding from the resilient portion, the stopper being engageable with a recess defined in the blade assembly when the blade assembly is in the closed position.

5. The knife according to claim 1, wherein The blade assembly includes a front cartridge face coupled to a rear cartridge face defining a cavity therebetween, and a blade removably disposed in the cavity.

6. The knife according to claim 1, wherein The knife also includes a key disposed in the blade assembly, the key including a biased retention feature engageable with a blade recess to secure the blade in the blade assembly.

7. The knife according to claim 1, wherein When the blade assembly is in the open position, the resilient portion is movable along the angled surface of the blade holder toward the depressed position.

8. A knife, comprising: a handle comprising a first trim piece coupled to a second trim piece, the first and second trim pieces defining a recess and a slot therebetween; a blade assembly pivotally coupled to the handle and defining a recess; as well as a locking and releasing mechanism at least partially disposed in the recess, the locking and releasing mechanism being defined by a unitary member and comprising a base portion coupled to the handle and a resilient portion extending from the base portion, the resilient portion having a stopper protruding from the resilient portion, the stopper being engageable with the recess when the blade assembly is in the closed position, the resilient portion being movable relative to the base portion between a rest position and a depressed position to change the blade assembly between the closed position and the open position.

9. The knife according to claim 8, wherein The blade assembly includes a blade cartridge having the recess and a recess, and wherein the resilient portion engages the blade assembly within the recess to retain the blade assembly in the open position.

10. The knife according to claim 8, wherein The resilient portion extends laterally relative to the base portion when the resilient portion is in the rest position, and wherein the resilient portion is substantially coplanar with the base portion when the resilient portion is in the depressed position.

11. The knife according to claim 8, wherein The locking and releasing mechanism comprises a bridge connecting the base portion and the resilient portion, and wherein the resilient portion is flexible relative to the base portion about the bridge.

12. The knife according to claim 8, wherein The blade assembly includes a front cartridge face coupled to a rear cartridge face defining a cavity therebetween, and a blade removably disposed in the cavity.

13. The knife according to claim 8, wherein The knife also includes a key disposed in the blade assembly, the key including a biased retention feature engageable with a blade recess to secure the blade in the blade assembly.

14. The knife according to claim 8, wherein The blade assembly includes a blade cartridge, and wherein the biasing retention feature includes an angled surface movable by inserting the blade into the blade cartridge.

15. The knife according to claim 8, wherein When the blade assembly is in the open position, the resilient portion is movable along the angled surface of the blade holder toward the depressed position.

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