Knives, especially sailing knives

Abstract

Knife, in particular sailing knife, with a handle body (4) and a blade body (2) having a cutting edge (3) which is arranged on the handle body (4), wherein the handle body (4) has a float, characterized in that the handle body (4) has a cavity (5) which houses a buoyancy device (6) which provides an inflatable buoyancy body (7) as a float.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a knife, in particular a sailor's knife, with a handle body and a blade body having a cutting edge, which is arranged on the handle body, wherein the handle body has a float.

[0002] A knife of the aforementioned type in general, and a sailor's knife in particular, is well known from the prior art, which is why a separate printed reference is not required at this point.

[0003] A knife of this type has a handle on one side and a blade on the other. The blade is attached to the handle. In normal use, the user grips the knife at the handle end, which then allows for the desired guidance of the blade.

[0004] The blade body has one cutting edge. The blade body can also be double-edged, meaning it has two cutting edges, which are preferably positioned opposite each other with respect to the longitudinal extent of the blade body.

[0005] The handle of a knife of this type incorporates a float. This float is designed to keep the knife afloat if it accidentally falls into the water, for example, overboard from a vessel, particularly a sailing ship. Thanks to the float, the knife floats handle-first on the surface, allowing the user to easily retrieve it.

[0006] In knives of this type known from the prior art, the float is made of cork. Either the entire handle body can be made of cork, or at least a cork covering is provided, for example, one that encloses a tang connected to the blade body.

[0007] Although existing knives have proven their worth in everyday practical use, there is room for improvement. In particular, it is considered a disadvantage that the cork material forming the float is relatively inefficient and can wear down quickly, even with normal use. Furthermore, the buoyancy of a cork float is severely limited, which means the knife blade can only be relatively small. Therefore, there are limitations regarding the desired design of the blade.

[0008] Based on the above, the invention aims to further develop a generic knife in such a way that, while simultaneously improving handling by a user, safe water buoyancy is ensured.

[0009] To solve this problem, the invention proposes a knife of the type mentioned above, which is characterized in that the handle body has a cavity that houses a buoyancy device which provides an inflatable buoyancy body as a float.

[0010] The handle of the knife according to the invention, unlike those in the prior art, is completely cork-free. Instead, an inflatable buoyancy aid is used. This inflatable buoyancy aid is part of a buoyancy device housed in a cavity provided by the handle.

[0011] An advantage of this embodiment according to the invention is that the handle body can be freely designed with regard to its shape, size, and material. The handle body can therefore be designed to improve handling for the user. Furthermore, the inflatable buoyancy aid significantly improves buoyancy in water, so that the entire knife experiences more secure buoyancy, which simplifies retrieval.

[0012] A further advantage of the inventive design is that the knife can be made to a higher standard in terms of its visual appearance. Since the buoyancy device provided according to the invention is concealed in the hollow of the handle body, it is not apparent from the outside that the knife is buoyant. In particular, the handle body can be freely designed with regard to its design and choice of material, which, in contrast to previously known cork knives, allows for an improved design in terms of external appearance.

[0013] The knife according to the invention is fully buoyant. The buoyancy element is folded or tucked into the cavity provided by the handle. When needed, the buoyancy element is activated and inflated. In this inflated position, the buoyancy element acts as a float. Depending on the size of the cavity provided by the handle, the buoyancy element may remain in the cavity even when inflated, or it may be released into the surrounding atmosphere, i.e., the water, as a result of inflation. In both cases, the buoyancy element ensures that the knife does not sink and can be retrieved by a user.

[0014] According to a further feature of the invention, the buoyancy device comprises a gas pressure source in fluid-flow communication with the buoyancy body. Accordingly, the buoyancy device of the knife according to the invention has a buoyancy body and a gas pressure source, wherein the buoyancy body and the gas pressure source are in fluid-flow communication. In operation, gas is transferred from the gas pressure source into the buoyancy body via the fluid-flow connection, causing it to inflate. As previously described, the inflated buoyancy body acts as a float, so that the knife, if it falls into the water, is kept at or near the water surface, thus preventing it from sinking and advantageously allowing for the knife to be retrieved.

[0015] According to a further feature of the invention, the fluid-flow connection comprises a hose that is connected at one end to the gas pressure source and at the other end to the buoyancy body. In the intended use, gas can thus be transferred from the gas pressure source to the buoyancy body via the hose. For this purpose, the hose is fluid-flow connected to both the gas pressure source and the buoyancy body.

[0016] According to a further feature of the invention, the flow-technical functional connection has a unit that triggers upon contact with water and is designed to activate the gas pressure source in the event of triggering.

[0017] The buoyancy device provided according to the knife according to the invention further comprises a triggering unit, specifically a unit that is triggered upon contact with water. In the event of triggering, this unit activates the gas pressure source, causing gas to be transferred from the gas pressure source into the buoyancy body via the hose. The unit is triggered upon contact with water, particularly when the knife has fallen into water. In this case, the water-contact triggering unit is surrounded by water, which triggers it and consequently activates the gas pressure source.

[0018] According to a further feature of the invention, the unit that triggers upon contact with water has a sensor element.

[0019] The sensor element is used to detect water. The unit that triggers upon water contact can, for example, be designed as a valve. This valve opens as soon as water contact is detected by the sensor element. In a simple and reliable manner, this results in the inflation of the buoyancy chamber as soon as the knife falls into the water.

[0020] According to a further feature of the invention, the sensor element comprises a mechanically soluble element, an electronic water sensor, or a hydrophilically swelling element.

[0021] A salt tablet, for example, can be used as a mechanically soluble element. Such a tablet disintegrates very quickly upon contact with water, and as a result of this dissolution, it releases a spring mechanism that activates the gas pressure source. In the event of a malfunction, such an element ensures reliable activation and can be stored for years without any loss of function.

[0022] An electronic water sensor typically measures the resistance between two electrical contacts. If this resistance decreases due to contact with water, an electrical pulse is sent to an actuator, which activates the gas pressure source. An electromagnet, for example, can be used as such an actuator. An advantage of an electronic water sensor is its reliability. However, it requires a power source in the form of a battery, which necessitates regular maintenance.

[0023] A hydrophilic swelling element is a material that swells rapidly and significantly upon contact with water. This swelling activates the gas pressure source, for example, through the displacement and / or rotation of a pin or lever. Such a sensor element is also safe to use and has a long shelf life.

[0024] According to an alternative embodiment, the sensor element can also be configured to detect pressure differences. In this case, the triggering unit can, for example, be a unit designed to trigger upon contact with water, opening when the ambient pressure increases. A hydrostatic or pressure-dependent opening valve can be provided as a possible embodiment in this regard. Hydrostatic pressure increases with water depth. Thus, for example, the triggering device of a knife that has fallen into the water can be activated as soon as the knife reaches a water depth of, say, one meter. The pressure-dependent buoyancy device then deploys and inflates the buoyancy body in the manner already described, which consequently causes the knife to rise to the water's surface.Pressure-dependent triggering sensor elements are advantageously reliable and also cost-effective.

[0025] According to a further feature of the invention, the buoyancy device is designed as an encapsulated unit. The buoyancy device comprises, as described above, a buoyancy element, a gas pressure source, a hose, a triggering unit, and a sensor element. These components of the buoyancy device are preferably encapsulated and constitute an easy-to-handle unit. This allows, in particular, the simple replacement of a buoyancy device that has been triggered as intended with a new, still triggerable buoyancy device. The encapsulated design thus enables the user to easily re-equip the knife with a buoyancy device.

[0026] According to a further feature of the invention, the buoyancy device, designed as an encapsulated unit, is arranged replaceably in the cavity of the handle body. Such a replaceable arrangement allows for particularly simple refitting, i.e., the exchange of a triggered buoyancy device for one that has not yet been triggered. In the event of triggering, therefore, the replacement of individual components of the buoyancy device is not necessary. Rather, the entire device can be replaced easily.

[0027] According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that the cavity of the handle body has locking means on the buoyancy device side for a position-secure arrangement of the buoyancy device in the cavity of the handle body.

[0028] The locking devices provided according to the invention ensure a precise and secure positioning of the buoyancy device within the cavity provided by the handle body. This improves the intended use of the knife. In particular, the locking devices prevent the buoyancy device from moving or shifting relative to the handle body during normal use of the knife. Furthermore, the fixed position of the buoyancy device ensures that it cannot be damaged as a result of normal knife use. The design of the locking devices is therefore also advantageous from a safety perspective.

[0029] According to a further feature of the invention, the handle body has an opening leading into the cavity, which is designed to release the buoyancy body from the cavity of the handle body into the outside atmosphere surrounding the handle body in the event of triggering.

[0030] According to this preferred embodiment, the buoyancy element is pushed out of the cavity of the handle body upon activation. In its inflated state, the buoyancy element is therefore located outside the cavity provided by the handle body. For this purpose, the handle body has an opening leading into the cavity, through which the buoyancy element can be guided as needed and released into the surrounding atmosphere, particularly the water atmosphere. According to this preferred embodiment, the knife thus hangs from the inflated buoyancy element, which in turn is located at the water's surface, upon activation.

[0031] According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that the handle body provides the opening on its end face facing away from the blade body.

[0032] This design allows the unactivated or inflated buoyancy chamber to be positioned close to the opening provided by the handle. This facilitates reliable deployment and, moreover, ensures that the knife, upon activation, hangs with its handle pointing forward from the inflated buoyancy chamber. This enables safe retrieval.

[0033] According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that the opening can be closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of a lid.

[0034] In normal use, the opening that releases the buoyancy element upon activation of the knife is closed, for which purpose a cover is provided. This cover seals the opening fluid-tight, for example, by means of a sealing ring located on the cover side or the handle side. The buoyancy device housed within the hollow handle body is thus reliably protected from external influences, which is advantageous for safety reasons.

[0035] According to a further feature of the invention, the lid is pivotably mounted on the handle body. In the event of activation, i.e., when the buoyancy element is inflated by means of the gas pressure source, the lid can pivot and thus release the outlet opening for the buoyancy element. The lid opens by pivoting as a result of the inflation of the buoyancy element. In the event of activation, the buoyancy element therefore presses against the lid from the inside, which then causes the lid to pivot open, thus releasing the outlet opening and allowing the buoyancy element to be released into the surrounding atmosphere.

[0036] According to a further feature of the invention, the lid is equipped with an overflow opening. Water can enter the cavity of the handle body through this overflow opening, thereby triggering the release mechanism. The overflow opening thus allows water to enter the cavity provided by the handle body when the knife has fallen into the water. Subsequently, the buoyancy device can then be triggered as described above, causing the buoyancy element to be expelled from the cavity and inflated.

[0037] According to a further feature of the invention, the overflow opening can be manually closed in a fluid-tight manner. Such manual closure deactivates the buoyancy device. The knife according to the invention can therefore also be used as a diving knife. In this case, the overflow opening is manually closed before a dive, so that no water can enter the cavity of the handle body through the overflow opening during the dive.

[0038] The use of the knife according to the invention as a diving knife has the particular advantage that the overflow opening can be manually opened during a dive, which then triggers the buoyancy device as described above. The knife is guided to the surface by means of the buoyancy body. In this case, the purpose is not to retrieve the knife, but to use the buoyancy body as a signaling device visible to third parties at the water's surface. Such a signaling device can, for example, serve to provide rescuers with the location of the divers to be picked up. Divers typically carry corresponding signal buoys. However, these can be forgotten or may be unavailable due to a defect. In this case, the knife according to the invention can be used as an emergency buoy.

[0039] The alternative embodiment of a pressure-dependent triggering sensor element described above is not practical if the knife according to the invention is also intended for use as a diving knife. In this case, use as a diving knife is only practical if the user first removes the entire buoyancy device from the cavity provided by the handle. During a dive, the knife according to the invention can then be used as a "normal knife," that is, as a knife without the buoyancy device. After a dive, the knife can then be re-equipped with the previously removed buoyancy device in accordance with the invention.

[0040] According to a further feature of the invention, the hose connecting the gas pressure source to the buoyancy body in a fluid-technical manner is designed to serve as a mechanical locking element that connects the buoyancy body to the handle body.

[0041] According to this particularly preferred embodiment, the hose is not only intended to form a fluid-flow connection between the gas pressure source and the buoyancy aid. The hose is also intended to serve as a mechanical locking element. "Mechanical locking element" refers to an element that forms a mechanically load-resistant connection between the buoyancy aid and the handle, which in particular allows a knife floating on the water's surface due to the inflated buoyancy aid to be retrieved by grasping the hose, for example, with a boat hook. From a ship, the buoyancy aid floating on the water's surface is readily visible from above. The buoyancy aid can then be grasped from below with a boat hook, which in turn grips the hose. The buoyancy aid and the knife can then be pulled out of the water using the hose.The hose is advantageously designed as a mechanical safety element, so that tearing off or destruction of the hose is prevented even when grasped with a boat hook.

[0042] According to a further feature of the invention, the gas pressure source is provided by a CO2 cartridge. Such a CO2 cartridge is, for example, designed as an 8-gram cartridge, making it small enough to be housed in the cavity of the handle body. Furthermore, the amount of gas provided by an 8-gram cartridge is sufficient to inflate a buoyancy aid as intended, as previously described.

[0043] Depending on the size and weight, especially of the blade body, even smaller CO2 levels can be affected. 2-Cartridges can be used. For example, a 3g CO2 cartridge size is conceivable. Such a cartridge can already generate sufficient lift and also allows for smaller knife designs.

[0044] According to a further feature of the invention, the unit that triggers upon contact with water has a piercing element that interacts with the gas pressure source, in particular a piercing pin.

[0045] Such a piercing element is used particularly in combination with a CO2 cartridge. In the event of activation, the piercing element opens the CO2 cartridge, allowing gas to be transferred into the buoyancy chamber.

[0046] According to a further feature of the invention, the piercing element is spring-loaded. Such a design is particularly suitable for activation by means of a soluble element, for example, a salt tablet. The salt tablet dissolves upon contact with water, which causes the spring-loaded piercing element to move and thus open the CO2 cartridge. In the case of a hydrophilic swelling element, such spring preload is not required. Although a piercing element is preferably also provided in this case, it is driven forward by the swelling of the hydrophilic element and pierces the CO2 cartridge to open it.

[0047] According to a further feature of the invention, the handle body is made of plastic, preferably glass fiber reinforced nylon, or a composite material comprising carbon and / or titanium fibers.

[0048] Due to the design according to the invention, considerable freedom is afforded with regard to the material and shape of the handle body. The handle body must be lightweight, stable, and resistant to moisture, salt water, and chemicals. Furthermore, the handle body should provide sufficient grip for the user, even when wet. Additionally, the hollow design of the handle body must provide sufficient strength. All these objectives can be achieved if the handle body is made, for example, of plastic or a composite material.

[0049] Additive manufacturing processes can be used for the production of handle bodies, especially those for plastics, metals and / or plastics and metals.

[0050] According to a further feature of the invention, the blade body is made of steel, high-performance steel or a special steel alloy.

[0051] The steel used for the blade body is crucial for the blade's sharpness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance. Different steels can be used depending on the intended purpose and application. Proven steels include, for example, 1.4116 / X50CrMoV15 or 440C.

[0052] High-performance steels such as CPM S30V / S35VN or CPM MagnaCut are particularly suitable. SB1+ (1.4197) is a particularly noteworthy special alloy steel.

[0053] According to a further feature of the invention, a counterweight is arranged in the cavity provided by the handle body.

[0054] This counterweight ensures a balanced weight when the knife is used as intended. The position of the counterweight within the hollow body, as well as its size and weight, are determined by the materials used for the handle and blade, and by the size of the knife, particularly the ratio between the blade and handle. The counterweight thus advantageously ensures that the knife sits comfortably in the hand when used as intended, and that cutting motions are easy and safe despite the hollow handle.

[0055] The inventive design provides a knife that meets the highest quality standards in terms of shape, material selection, and usability. The buoyancy device ensures that the knife floats to the surface if it accidentally falls into the water, allowing for easy retrieval. Furthermore, the knife according to the invention can also be used as a diving knife to serve as an emergency buoy. The buoyancy device according to the invention can be easily installed and replaced, and provides reliable buoyancy when activated.

[0056] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description based on the only Fig. Figure 1, which schematically shows a knife according to the invention in a cutaway perspective view. Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a knife 1 according to the invention. The knife 1 has a blade body 2 and a handle body 4. The blade body 2 is arranged on the handle body 4.

[0057] How Fig. As can be further seen in Figure 1, the blade body 2 provides a cutting edge 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the blade body 2 is single-edged. A double-edged design is also possible.

[0058] According to the invention, the handle body 4 has a cavity 5. This contains a buoyancy device 6.

[0059] The buoyancy device 6 comprises a buoyancy body 7 and a gas pressure source in the form of a CO2 cartridge 8. The buoyancy body 7 and the CO2 cartridge are fluidically connected by means of a hose 9.

[0060] On the gas outlet side of the CO2 cartridge, a triggering unit 10 is integrated into the flow-related functional connection between the buoyancy body 7 and the CO2 cartridge 8. This triggering unit 10 is activated upon contact with water and activates the CO2 cartridge 8, as a result of which the CO2 cartridge 8 transfers gas into the buoyancy body 7 via the hose 9.

[0061] The buoyancy body 7 is in a usable condition, as shown in Fig. 1 is shown, basically gas-free and folded up inside the cavity 5 of the handle body 4.

[0062] The handle body 4 has an opening 12 on its end face 11 opposite the blade body 2, which leads into the cavity 5 provided by the handle body 4.

[0063] In the intended use of the knife 1, the opening 12 is closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of a cover 13 which is pivotably arranged on the handle body 4.

[0064] The lid 13 has an overflow opening, not shown in detail in the figures, through which water can enter the cavity 5 to trigger the release unit 10.

[0065] The triggering unit 10 has a sensor element, which is not shown in detail in the figures. This sensor element can be, for example, a mechanically soluble element, an electronic water sensor, or a hydrophilically swelling element. Furthermore, the triggering unit 10 has a movable piercing element that is moved when triggered and pierces the CO2 cartridge 8 for activation. This piercing element can be designed as a piercing pin that is under spring tension and is released as soon as, for example, a mechanically soluble element, in particular a salt tablet, has dissolved.

[0066] The operation of the buoyancy device 6 provided by the knife 1 according to the invention is as follows. If the knife 1 falls into the water, for example, because it falls overboard from a sailing ship, water enters the cavity 5 of the handle body 4 through the overflow opening provided by the lid 13. As a result, the trigger unit 10 is activated. Consequently, the CO2 cartridge 8 is activated, and the carbon dioxide released flows through the tube 9 into the buoyancy body 7. As a result of its inflation, the buoyancy body 7 presses against the lid 13 from the inside, causing it to be pushed into the cavity 5 of the handle body 4. Fig. The opening position shown in Figure 1 is transferred. During further inflation of the buoyancy body 7, it is pushed out of the cavity 5 through the opening 12, so that it reaches the water atmosphere surrounding the knife 1. There, the buoyancy body 7 inflates completely, causing the knife 1 to float to the water's surface. The knife 1 then hangs from the inflated buoyancy body 7 via the intermediate position of the hose 9.

[0067] The hose 9 is preferably designed as a mechanical locking element that connects the buoyancy body 7 to the handle body 4, so that, for example, the hose 9 can be grasped with a boat hook to retrieve the knife 1 and thus the entire knife 1 can be retrieved from the water.

[0068] The entire buoyancy device 6 is preferably designed as an encapsulated unit, which allows for easy reassembly. Furthermore, it is Fig.One locking element (not shown in detail) is provided on the inside of the cavity 5, so that the buoyancy device 6, designed as an encapsulated unit, is positioned precisely and securely within the cavity 5. Reference sign 1 knife 2 blade bodies 3 cutting edges 4 handle bodies 5 Cavity 6 Buoyancy device 7 Buoyancy aids 8 CO2 cartridges 9 hose 10 Trigger unit 11 Front 12 Opening 13 lids

Claims

[1] Knife, in particular sailing knife, with a handle body (4) and a blade body (2) having a cutting edge (3) which is arranged on the handle body (4), wherein the handle body (4) has a float, characterized by , that the handle body (4) has a cavity (5) which houses a buoyancy device (6) which provides an inflatable buoyancy body (7) as a float. [2] Knife according to claim 1, characterized by , that the buoyancy device (6) has a gas pressure source in fluid-technical interaction with the buoyancy body (7). [3] Knife according to claim 2, characterized by , that the fluid-technical functional connection has a hose (9) which is connected at one end to the gas pressure source and at the other end to the buoyancy body (7). [4] Knife according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by, that the fluid-technical functional connection has a unit (10) that triggers upon contact with water and is designed to activate the gas pressure source in the event of triggering. [5] Knife according to claim 4 characterized by , that the unit (10) which triggers upon contact with water has a sensor element. [6] Knife according to claim 5, characterized by that the sensor element comprises a mechanically soluble element, an electronic water sensor, or a hydrophilically swelling element. [7] Knife according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the buoyancy device (6) is designed as an encapsulated unit. [8] Knife according to claim 7, characterized by , that the buoyancy device (6), designed as an encapsulated unit, is arranged interchangeably in the cavity (5) of the handle body (4). [9] Knife according to claim 8, characterized by, that the cavity (5) of the handle body (4) has locking means on the buoyancy device side for a position-secure arrangement of the buoyancy device (6) in the cavity (5) of the handle body (4). [10] Knife according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the handle body (4) has an opening (12) leading into the cavity (5) which is designed to release the buoyancy body (7) from the cavity (5) of the handle body (4) into the outside atmosphere surrounding the handle body (4) in the event of activation. [11] Knife according to claim 10, characterized by , that the handle body (4) provides the opening (12) on an end face (11) facing away from the blade body (2). [12] Knife according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by that the opening (12) can be closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of a cover (13). [13] Knife according to claim 12, characterized by , that the lid (13) is pivotably arranged on the handle body (4). [14] Knife according to claim 12 or 13, characterized by , that the lid (13) is equipped with an overflow opening. [15] Knife according to claim 14, characterized by that the overflow opening is designed to be manually closable in a fluid-tight manner. [16] Knife according to any one of the preceding claims 3 to 15, characterized by , that the hose (9) which fluidically connects the gas pressure source to the buoyancy body (7) is designed to serve as a mechanical safety element connecting the buoyancy body (7) to the handle body (4). [17] Knife according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 16, characterized by , that the gas pressure source is provided by a CO2 cartridge (8). [18] Knife according to any one of the preceding claims 4 to 17, characterized by , that the unit (10) which triggers upon contact with water has a piercing element, in particular a piercing pin, which interacts with the gas pressure source. [19] Knife according to claim 18, characterized by that the piercing element is spring-elastically pre-tensioned. [20] Knife according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the handle body (4) is made of plastic, preferably a glass fiber reinforced nylon, or a composite material comprising carbon and / or titanium fibers. [21] Knife according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the blade body (2) is made of steel, high-performance steel or a special steel alloy. [22] Knife according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a counterweight is arranged in the cavity (5) provided by the handle body (4).

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