Spring-loaded locking mechanism on a double-notched folding knife blade

Abstract

A folding knife incorporating a spring mechanism that locks the blade in the open and closed positions. The mechanism includes a pivoting blade with two opposing notches relative to the pivot axis, exhibiting an angular offset alpha (α) equivalent to the blade's opening angle [Fig. 1], and a longitudinal plate attached to the blade [Fig. 2] with a specific cutting profile at its end, the shape of which creates a spring effect. This plate has a boss at its end that engages with the blade's notches. The position of the boss within each of the blade's notches locks the blade in the open or closed position [Fig. 3].

Description

Title of the invention: Spring locking device on a double-notched blade for a folding knife

[0001] The present invention relates to the cutlery sector and in particular to the technical sector of folding blade knives. The invention relates to a device for locking the blade of a folding knife in the open and closed position. For practical and safety reasons, it is preferable for the user to ensure the locking or at least the maintenance of the blade in the open and closed position in order to prevent it from being opened or closed involuntarily. This opening / closing operation must be able to be carried out simply and quickly.

[0002] The device according to the invention makes it possible to meet the various criteria set out above. The concept of this locking system is based on two principles:

[0003] - a pivoting blade having two notches opposite the pivot axis and having an angular offset alpha (a) equivalent to the opening angle of the blade (Fig [1]),

[0004] - a longitudinal plate on the blade ([Fig.2]) having at its end a profile specific cutting which, thanks to its shape, creates a spring effect. It has a boss at its end which comes into contact with the notches. The position of the boss in each of the notches of the blade allows it to be locked in the open or closed position.

[0005] In other words, the objective of this invention is to provide a new blade locking system for a knife or any other instrument in the folded or unfolded position. Description of the operating system

[0006] More specifically, the device according to the invention comprises:

[0007] According to a first characteristic and in the following example, a steel plate of rectangular section comprising at its end an appendage whose heat treatment necessary within the framework of this material gives it spring characteristics ([Fig.2]).

[0008] According to a second characteristic, this plate in its longest part is in the same plane as the blade.

[0009] According to a third characteristic, it is the elasticity of this appendage ([Fig.2]) which allows it to be flexible and to return to its place at the end of the opening and closing maneuvers.

[0010] According to a fourth characteristic of the invention, the blade is an integral part of the locking system and comprises two notches allowing the boss of the spring plate to be clicked into place.

[0011] According to a fifth characteristic, the two notches of the blade are opposite with respect to the pivot axis and have an angular offset equivalent to the opening angle of the blade.

[0012] According to a sixth characteristic, the spring is permanently in contact with the edge of the blade during the pivoting of the latter between opening and closing. This makes it possible to exert pressure in order to prevent free movement of the blade and to increase safety.

[0013] In order to make the presentation of the characteristics of our invention more understandable, it seems appropriate to describe it in the context of its operation. This refers to the appended drawings, given solely by way of example and in which:

[0014] [Fig. 1] is a plan view of the blade,

[0015] [Fig.2] is a plan view of the spring plate,

[0016] [Fig. 3] is a plan view of the complete device in the closed and open position of the invention,

[0017] [Fig.4] is a bottom view of the invention in the open position including the blade, the spring plate and the two parts of the handle.

[0018] According to an exemplary embodiment, and with reference to the attached drawings, a device in accordance with the invention comprises a steel spring plate having elastic qualities, fixed to the handle. Namely, each of the plates of the knife handle are fixed on either side of the spring plate. Finally, the blade pivots around an axis in the handle, and is placed in the same plane as the longest part of the spring plate.

[0019] The principle is described as follows:

[0020] When opening the blade (1) by pivoting about its axis (2), the boss (3) of the appendage (4) of the spring (5) is snapped into the first notch (6) of the blade. The user must therefore exert sufficient force on the blade (1) by pulling on it to unsnap it and move it into the open position for use. When the blade (1) reaches its final open position, the boss (3) of the appendage (4) of the spring plate (5) snaps into the second notch (7) of the blade (1) and allows the blade to be locked in the open position.

[0021] When closing the blade (1) by pivoting around its axis (2) the spring is snapped into the second notch (7) of the blade. The user must therefore exert sufficient force on the blade (1) by pushing on it to unsnap it and move it into the closed position. When the blade (1) reaches its closed position, the boss (3) of the appendage (4) of the spring plate (5) snaps into the first notch (6) of the blade (1) and allows the blade to be locked in the closed position.

[0022] According to particular embodiments:

[0023] - The boss (3) of the appendage (4), can in the closed position hold the blade closed, in the same way that it keeps it open in the open position.

[0024] - The blade can receive several notches allowing it to hold multiple positions.

[0025] We have therefore produced according to the invention a device allowing the locking of a blade in the open and closed position. This device being composed of two main parts: a blade pivoting on an axis and the spring plate.

[0026] It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the shape, size, thickness and materials of the embodiment described above as an example but that it extends to all the forms of embodiments covered by the claims appended hereto. That is to say that the invention includes all the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these are executed according to its spirit, and implemented within the framework of the claims which follow.

Claims

Claims

1. A folding knife whose own mechanism consists of two main parts, the blade (1) and the spring plate (5), the operation of which is linked.

2. A folding knife as defined in claim 1, the elasticity of the spring plate part (5) and in particular its appendage (4) due to its heat treatment and its specific profile allows the blade (1) to be locked.

3. A folding knife as defined in claims 1 and 2, the blade locking mechanism of which by means of the boss (3) fits either in the open position or in the closed position into the corresponding notches (6), (7) on the blade (1).

4. A folding knife as defined in claim 3, the blade locking system of which comprises at least two notches (6) (7) on its edge allowing the locking system to be engaged.

5. A folding knife as defined in claim 4, the "spring plate" blade locking system (5) of which, by its elasticity, allows the bidirectional translation of the appendage (4) allowing the positioning of the latter in the notches (6) (7) and thereby the locking / unlocking of the blade (1).

6. A folding knife as defined in claim 5, the mechanism of which allows the blade (1) to be held in the open and closed position by permanent mechanical pressure of the appendage (4) on the latter.

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