FOLDING KNIFE WITH RECONFIGURABLE EXTERIOR COVERING

Abstract

The invention relates to a folding knife (C1) comprising a knife body (2) comprising at least one folding blade, a first side plate (14) and a second side plate (16), a first middle part (4) fixed to the first plate (14) and a first insert (8) mounted in the first middle part (4) by means of screws (26) and a second middle part (6) fixed to the second side plate (16) and a second insert fixed in the second middle part (6) by screws (26). [Fig.3A]

Description

Title of the invention: FOLDING KNIFE WITH RECONFIGURABLE EXTERIOR COVERING TECHNICAL FIELD AND PRIOR ART

[0001] The present invention relates to a folding knife with reconfigurable exterior covering.

[0002] Folding knives, also commonly referred to as "Swiss army knives", have a knife body made of steel, generally stainless steel, comprising at least one folding blade. Other accessories may be provided such as a corkscrew and a screwdriver. The body of the knife has two side plates covered with elements most often made of plastic material giving the knife a certain aesthetic appearance.

[0003] These elements are fixed to the side plates, for example by means of double-sided adhesive.

[0004] Folding knives, in addition to being very practical objects, often have an emotional value, because they were given on special occasions. Their owners therefore want to keep them as long as possible. However, it may be desirable either to modernize them or to repair them if one of the decorative elements is damaged.

[0005] Furthermore, in order to further personalize the knife, it is desirable that the user can configure the exterior appearance

[0006] However, this is not possible with state-of-the-art folding knives. Statement of the invention

[0007] It is therefore an aim of the present application to offer a knife offering new possibilities concerning its external covering.

[0008] The object stated above is achieved by a folding knife comprising a knife body provided with at least one folding blade and two side plates, and a decorative element fixed on each of the side plates. At least one of the decorative elements comprises a case middle fixed on a side plate and an insert mounted in a recess in the case middle, the insert being secured to the case middle by means of at least one screw.

[0009] Thanks to the invention, the insert can be easily replaced, either to install an insert offering a different appearance, or because the old insert is damaged and must be replaced by a new insert, or to personalize the knife.

[0010] Furthermore, thanks to the invention, it is possible to mount inserts made of different materials, for example wood, metal, stone, glass, etc.

[0011] Preferably, the two decorative elements comprise a middle and an insert.

[0012] Very advantageously, the case is made of metal or injected plastic, wood and other materials. Thus it offers great robustness and protects the outline of the insert.

[0013] The present invention then relates to a folding knife comprising a knife body comprising at least one folding blade, a first side plate and a second side plate, at least one case middle fixed to the first side plate or the second side plate and at least one insert fixed to the case middle by at least one screw.

[0014] In a preferred example, the case has on its outer face a recess in which the insert is mounted.

[0015] The recess advantageously comprises at least one excess thickness provided with a thread cooperating with the at least one screw.

[0016] In a preferred example, the insert is fixed to the caseband by means of three screws distributed along the length of the insert.

[0017] Preferably, at least one elastomer element is pinched between the insert and the middle, preferably several elastomer elements are pinched between the insert and the middle.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the insert is in several parts each fixed by screws to the middle, advantageously the parts partially overlapping.

[0019] The folding knife may have two middles and at least two inserts, each insert being fixed to a middle.

[0020] In a preferred example, the first side plate comprises a mechanism for allowing the blade, the case and the insert mounted on the first side plate to be folded, each comprising a window to the right of the mechanism for mounting a button for actuating the mechanism.

[0021] The at least one insert may be at least partly made of metal, stone, wood, glass, ceramic or comprising a part made of photoluminescent material.

[0022] In one exemplary embodiment, the insert is hollow so as to house means fulfilling an additional function.

[0023] According to an additional characteristic, the hollow insert is made of transparent material and lighting means are housed in the insert.

[0024] For example, the body of the knife has a corkscrew on the side of the second side plate and the middle and the insert on the second side plate are shaped to accommodate the corkscrew. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] The present application will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows and the attached drawings in which: - [Fig.l] is a view of one side of an example of a folding knife according to the invention, - [Fig.2] is a view of another side of the folding knife of [Fig.l], - [Fig.3A] is a perspective view of the knife of figures 1 and 2, - [[Fig.3B]] is a partially exploded view of the knife of [Fig.3A], - [Fig.4] is a view of one side of another example of a folding knife according to the invention, - [Fig.5] is a partially exploded view of the knife of [Fig.4], - [Fig.6] is a partially exploded view of a knife according to another exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0026] In the example to be described in detail below, the knife body of the folding knife comprises at least one folding blade and a corkscrew, but it will be understood that any other composition of accessories of the knife body falls within the scope of the present invention.

[0027] In Figures 1 to 3B, an example of a folding knife C1 can be seen comprising a knife body 2, a first middle 4 and a second middle 6 on either side of the knife body, and a first insert 8 mounted in the first middle 4 and a second insert 10, mounted in the second middle 6.

[0028] In this example, the body of the knife 2 includes in particular a folding blade 12, and a folding corkscrew 13 visible in [Fig.2]. The body of the knife 2 is also provided with other accessories which will not be detailed.

[0029] The body of the knife 2 comprises a first lateral plate 14 and a second lateral plate 16. The second plate 16 is arranged on the corkscrew side 13, as well as the second middle 6, and the second insert 10. They are then shaped to house the corkscrew. Their shapes are different from those of the first lateral plate 14, the first middle 4 and the first insert 8. In another example in which the body of the knife does not comprise a corkscrew, the two lateral plates 14, 16 may have the same shape, as well as the two middles and the two inserts.

[0030] The second plate 16 is flat and solid and the first plate 14, on the blade side, has a mechanism 18 allowing the blade to be released for folding. This mechanism is controlled by a button 20 which can be pushed in perpendicular to the side plate 14 and unlock the blade.

[0031] The first case 4 also includes a window 22 to the right of the mechanism 18 and crossed by the button 20.

[0032] The first middle part 4 is fixed to the first side plate 14 for example with clips or with an adhesive, for example a double-sided adhesive.

[0033] The first middle 4 comprises a recess 24 housing the first insert 8 (figure 3). The recess is bordered in this example by a continuous rim 25. The first insert 8 also includes a window 24 to the right of the window 22 of the first middle 4, housing the button 20 and through which the button is accessible to the user.

[0034] In this example, the button 20 has an oval shape but this shape is in no way limiting.

[0035] Alternatively, the movement of the button may be parallel to the first plate. The first case and the first insert are then shaped to allow this translation.

[0036] The shape and dimensions of the first insert are such that the first insert 8 fits into the first recess 24 and completely fills it.

[0037] In this example, the first insert 8 is secured to the first middle 4 by three screws 26 distributed along the length of the insert. The first insert 8 has three through holes 28 and the first middle 4 has in the bottom of the recess three tapped bores 30 into each of which a screw 26 is screwed.

[0038] Preferably, the first middle 14 comprises cylindrical-shaped overthicknesses 38, forming studs, in which the threads are made, which makes it possible to increase the length of the thread and to improve the screw connection. The end of each bore 28, on the bottom side of the recess, has a diameter sufficient to accommodate a cylindrical overthickness. The end of each bore 28, on the screw head side, also has a diameter sufficient to accommodate the screw head and for it to be flush with the outer face of the first insert 8.

[0039] Any type of screw can be used, for example cross-head screws and slotted head screws. Very advantageously, the screws have a head with a specific imprint for the knife manufacturer, limiting the possibilities of dismantling the inserts.

[0040] It will be understood that the number of screws is in no way limiting, nor their location, nor their shape. A folding knife with at least one screw securing the insert to the case does not depart from the scope of the present invention.

[0041] Furthermore, an insert only partially filling the recess of the case does not depart from the scope of the present invention.

[0042] In a particularly advantageous manner, elements made of elastic material 40 are interposed between the bottom of the first recess and the first insert. In the example shown, these are annular elements made of elastomer material, such as an O-ring.

[0043] These elements 40 are intended to be compressed between the insert and the bottom of the recess. They make it possible, on the one hand, to take up manufacturing clearances and, on the other hand, to limit the loosening of the screws due to the force exerted by the deformation of the elements 40 between the middle and the insert.

[0044] Very advantageously, a thread locker, for example of the Eposint® brand, is applied to the screws.

[0045] The implementation of these elastomeric elements is all the more advantageous in the case of inserts in materials whose work can be complex and the shaping to given dimensions can prove laborious, for example in the case of stone inserts.

[0046] Preferably, the bottom of the first recess comprises hollow housings 42 for housing the elements 40 and holding them in position during assembly and thus facilitating the assembly of the first insert 8 in the recess. In this example, eight elastomer elements are implemented between the first insert and the first recess. The depth of the hollow housings is less than the thickness of the elements 40.

[0047] An elastomer element bordering the inner contour of the recess will also be acceptable; it simultaneously ensures a certain seal between the case and the insert.

[0048] The material of the button may be the same as that of the first insert or a different material.

[0049] In this example, the side plate comprises a projecting hook-shaped element 46. The face of the first insert opposite the bottom of the recess is shaped to house the element 46. A knife whose side plate does not comprise a hook does not depart from the scope of the present invention.

[0050] The description of the second middle and the second insert are similar to those of the first middle and the first insert. As explained above, the second insert 10 and the second middle 6 are shaped to house the corkscrew 13. The mounting of the second insert 10 in the second middle 6 is carried out by means of three screws 26 and five elastomer elements 42. This number is not limiting. As explained above, a second middle and a second insert of external shape identical to those of the first middle and the first insert do not depart from the scope of the present invention.

[0051] The case is for example made of metal, such as stainless steel, aluminum alloys or titanium, of injected plastic material, for example polyamide, PEEK (polyetheretherketone), POM (polyoxymethylene), of material comprising carbon fibers, of wood and other materials.

[0052] For example, the inserts are made of wood, metal, for example set with precious or semi-precious stones, stone, glass, ceramic, opaque or transparent plastic material, and any other material that can be mounted in a case middle.

[0053] In a particularly advantageous example, the insert(s) are made of photoluminescent material, of the phosphorescent type such as for example Super-LumiNova ® or fluorescent or comprise a coating of such a material.

[0054] In another embodiment, the insert is transparent and the coating is made of photoluminescent material, of the phosphorescent type such as, for example, Super- LumiNova ® or fluorescent deposited on the bottom of the case or on the face of the insert in contact with the bottom of the case, is visible through the insert.

[0055] Such a knife can then be easily spotted in the dark.

[0056] In the case of precious or semi-precious metal and / or high density, the insert is advantageously hollow.

[0057] The material of the first case and that of the second case may be identical, similar or different.

[0058] In the example shown, each of the side plates is provided with a case and an insert. A folding knife with only one of the plates provided with a case and an insert does not depart from the scope of the present invention.

[0059] The insert(s) may be made of two materials secured to each other.

[0060] In [Fig.4], we can see another example of a folding knife C2 comprising a first insert in two parts.

[0061] The first insert 108 is made in two parts juxtaposed in the recess 24 of the first middle 4, it comprises a first part 108.1 and a second part 108.2. The part 108.1 comprises a window for the button to pass through and the part 108.2 is solid.

[0062] Part 108.1 is crossed by a screw at the middle and part 108.2 is crossed by two screws at the middle.

[0063] The first part 108.1 and the second part 108.2 each have an end 108.1', 108.2' facing each other. In the example shown and advantageously, the ends 108.1', 108.2' are shaped to overlap and thus provide an improved visual finish.

[0064] In the example shown and advantageously, the first part cooperates with the hook 46 so as to use only one screw to hold the first part 108.1 on the case.

[0065] The first part 108.1 comprises at the end 108.1' a notch 110 provided with a recess (not visible) for housing the hook 46, and the end 108.2 comprises a projecting element (not visible) housed in the notch 110. The assembly of the first part 108.1 and the second part 108.2 on the caseband is carried out in the following manner. The end 108.1' is brought closer to the hook 46 until the hook 46 is housed in the recess. The first part 108.1 is then folded back onto the caseband and a screw 26 is screwed into the caseband through the first part 108.1. It is then the second part 108.2 which is put in place on the caseband. This is placed on the caseband, end 108.2 covering end 108.1 and screws 26 are screwed into the caseband through the second part.

[0066] A production in more than two parts is possible. In addition, the second insert can also be produced in several parts.

[0067] Having inserts in several parts makes it possible to increase the aesthetic choices offered to users who can create their own combination of colors and materials. This is made all the easier since the inserts are removable.

[0068] For example, one can consider a combination of wood and metal, stone and metal, such as titanium.

[0069] Furthermore, the fact of producing the insert provided with the window in two parts makes it easier to manufacture the insert, particularly when the material is fragile. A breakage of a long insert is more likely than a part of the insert of shorter length.

[0070] The button may be made of the same material as part 108.1 or of a different material.

[0071] In [Fig.6], we can see another example of a folding knife C3 comprising a second insert 210 in two superimposed elements 210.1, 210.2. Element 210.1 is against the second middle and element 210.2 is visible. This example is advantageous when the visible element 210.2 forms a veneer and then has a small thickness, for example when it is made of stone or precious wood. Element 210.2 can be glued to element 210.1 or fixed simultaneously by means of screws.

[0072] In this example, the first insert is in two juxtaposed parts as in the example of [Fig.4], part 208.2 also comprises two superimposed parts 208.21 and 280.22

[0073] In another embodiment, the first insert and / or the second insert is / are hollow in order to be able to equip the insert(s) with an additional function.

[0074] For example, the insert(s) are transparent and one or more LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are placed in the insert(s). A power source is provided. In one example, one of the inserts is a photovoltaic panel and the other insert is equipped with LEDs; a rechargeable battery is also advantageously provided.

[0075] In another example, the insert can be equipped with a transmitter so that it can form an emergency car key, or even a home key. Other functions are conceivable.

[0076] In another example, the case(s) and the insert(s) are such that they allow a lighter function to be integrated.

[0077] Alternatively, the insert(s) are in several parts, the parts extending along the length of the knife. It is also possible to envisage combining inserts in several parts, parts of which extend in the width and others in the length.

[0078] In another embodiment, the middle part(s) have an outer face without a recess and the insert is fixed by screwing onto the middle part.

[0079] The invention offers on the one hand a folding knife with great aesthetic and customization possibilities. In addition, it offers a certain reparability which makes the folding knife even more durable.

Claims

Claims

1. Folding knife comprising a knife body (2) comprising at least one folding blade (12), a first side plate (14) and a second side plate (16), at least one middle part (4, 6) fixed to the first side plate (14) or the second side plate (16) and at least one insert (8, 10) fixed to the middle part (4, 6) by at least one screw (26).

2. Folding knife according to claim 1, in which the case (4, 6) has on its outer face a recess (24) in which the insert (8, 10) is mounted.

3. Folding knife according to claim 2, in which the recess (24) comprises at least one excess thickness (38) provided with a thread (30) cooperating with the at least one screw (26).

4. Folding knife according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the insert (8, 10) is fixed to the middle (4, 6) by means of three screws (26) distributed along the length of the insert (8, 10).

5. Folding knife according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which at least one elastomer element (40) is pinched between the insert (8, 10) and the middle (4, 6), preferably several elastomer elements (40) are pinched between the insert (8, 10) and the middle (4, 6).

6. Folding knife according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the insert is in several parts each fixed by screws to the case, advantageously the parts partially overlapping.

7. Folding knife according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising two middles and at least two inserts, each insert being fixed to a middle.

8. Folding knife according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first side plate (14) comprises a mechanism (18) for allowing the blade (12) to be folded, the middle (4) and the insert (8) mounted on the first side plate (14) each comprising a window to the right of the mechanism (18) for mounting a button (20) for actuating the mechanism.

9. A folding knife according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one insert is at least partly made of metal, stone, wood, glass, ceramic or comprising a portion of photoluminescent material.

10. A folding knife according to any preceding claim, wherein the insert is hollow so as to accommodate means performing an additional function.

11. A folding knife according to claim 9, wherein the hollow insert is made of transparent material and lighting means are housed in the insert.

12. A folding knife according to any preceding claim, wherein the knife body (2) comprises a corkscrew (13) on the side of the second side plate (16) and wherein the middle (6) and the insert (8) on the second side plate (16) are shaped to accommodate the corkscrew.

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