MECHANICALLY ASSEMBLED FOLDING KNIFE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a folding knife comprising a central body including at least one folding blade (12), a first side plate (14) and a second side plate (16), at least one frame (4) fixed on the first side plate (14) or the second side plate (16), the frame (4) being fixed to the first or the second side plate by clipping at least one clipping element (24) passing through the frame (4) and the first side plate (14) [Fig.4]

Description

Title of the invention: MECHANICALLY ASSEMBLED FOLDING KNIFE TECHNICAL FIELD AND PRIOR ART

[0001] The present invention relates to a mechanically assembled folding knife.

[0002] Folding knives, also commonly known as "Swiss Army knives," have a central body made of steel, generally stainless steel, containing at least one folding blade. Other accessories may be included, such as a corkscrew and a screwdriver. The central body has two side plates covered over their entire surface with scales, most often made of plastic, giving the knife a certain aesthetic appeal.

[0003] We wish to offer folding knives with a new aesthetic. Description of the invention

[0004] It is therefore one of the aims of the present application to offer a folding knife with a different aesthetic from existing folding knives.

[0005] The stated purpose is achieved by a folding knife comprising a central part with at least one folding blade and two side plates, and a decorative element fixed to each of the side plates. At least one of the decorative elements comprises a handle fixed to a side plate and an insert fixed to the handle, the handle being fixed to a side plate by clipping.

[0006] The construction of the decorative elements in two parts allows, on the one hand, for the decorative element to be mechanically fixed to the central part without requiring adhesive via the frame and for the mechanical fixing to be concealed by means of the insert.

[0007] In a particularly advantageous example, the clip-on assembly is achieved by means of attached elements that pass through the case and are fixed by clipping into the side plate. Such an assembly makes it possible to produce the case in materials that cannot normally directly incorporate the clipping means, for example wood or ceramic materials.

[0008] The insert is for example fixed to the frame by means of screws, by clipping or by gluing.

[0009] The implementation of an intermediate piece formed by the case forms an interface which allows mechanical assembly, which in some embodiments makes it possible to avoid the use of an adhesive, which is particularly interesting from an ecological point of view.

[0010] Very advantageously, the material of the insert can be chosen from metal, wood, stone, glass, plastic materials, ceramic materials.

[0011] The present invention then relates to a folding knife comprising a central body including at least one folding blade, a first side plate and a second side plate, at least one frame fixed on the first side plate or on the second side plate and at least one insert fixed to the frame, said frame being fixed to the first side plate or to the second side plate by clipping.

[0012] In a preferred example, the knife includes at least one clipping element passing through the body and the first side plate or the second side plate.

[0013] Preferably, the first or second side plate has at least one hole for mounting the clip element, and at least one boss through which the hole passes. Advantageously, the case has a recess opposite the boss to house the boss.

[0014] In one embodiment, the recess is provided with a hole for mounting the clip element.

[0015] In one embodiment, at least one clipping element comprises a head and tabs, said head bearing against the case and the tabs bearing against the first side plate or the second side plate.

[0016] The head is advantageously traversed by a passage opening between the legs, and receiving a locking element, for example a headless screw.

[0017] According to an additional feature, the head has a truncated conical shape and the bore of the case has a chamfer so that the head is flush with the face of the case.

[0018] In another embodiment, at least one clipping element is one piece with the frame.

[0019] According to an additional feature, the insert is fixed to the case by at least one screw, by gluing or clipping.

[0020] Preferably, the folding knife comprises two frames, each fixed to the first and second side plate by clips.

[0021] At least one frame may be made of metal, plastic material, or wood.

[0022] The at least one insert may be made of metal, wood, plastic material, glass or made of ceramic material.

[0023] For example, the knife body has a corkscrew on the side of the second side plate and the case and the insert on the second side plate are shaped to house the corkscrew. Brief description of the drawings

[0024] This application will be better understood with the aid of the following description and the attached drawings, in which: - [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of an example of a folding knife according to the invention, - [Fig.2] is a view of one side of the folding knife of [Fig.1] from the side of the first side plate, the insert having been removed, - [Fig.3] is a view of another side of the folding knife of [Fig.1] from the side of the second side plate, the insert having been removed, - [Fig.4] is a partially exploded view of [Fig.1], - [Fig.5] is a cross-sectional view along plane AA of the view in [Fig.4], - [Fig.6] represents a detail of a cross-sectional view along plane AA at the level of a clip-on element assembly of [Fig.5]. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTATION METHODS

[0025] In the example which will be described in detail below, the central body of the folding knife includes at least one folding blade and a corkscrew, but it will be understood that any other combination of accessories of the central part falls within the scope of the present invention.

[0026] Figures 1 to 5 show an example of a folding knife Cl comprising a knife body 2, a first frame 4 and a second frame 6 on either side of the body 2, and a first insert 8 mounted in the first frame 4 and a second insert, mounted in the second frame 6.

[0027] In this example, the body 2 includes in particular a folding blade 12, and a folding corkscrew 13 visible in figures 1 to 3. The body 2 is also equipped with other accessories which will not be detailed.

[0028] The body 2 comprises a first side plate 14 and a second side plate 16. The second plate 16 is positioned on the corkscrew side 13, as are the second case and the second insert. They are thus shaped to accommodate the corkscrew. Their shapes are different from those of the first side plate 14, the first case 4, and the first insert 8. In another example in which the body does not include a corkscrew, the first and second side plates may have the same shape, as well as the two cases and the two inserts.

[0029] The second plate 16 is flat and solid, and the first plate 14 on the blade side has a mechanism 18 for releasing the blade so that it can be folded. This mechanism is controlled by a button 20 ([Fig. 1]) which can be pushed in perpendicularly to the side plate 14 and unlock the blade.

[0030] The first case 4 also has a window 22 at the right of the mechanism 18, which is crossed by the button 20.

[0031] The frames are for example made of metal, plastic material such as polyamide, PEEK (polyetheretherketone), POM (polyoxymethylene), or material containing carbon fibers.

[0032] Since the assemblies of the two cases on their respective side plates are similar, only the assembly of the first case 4 on the side plate 14 will be described in detail.

[0033] The first case 4 is fixed to the first side plate 14 by means of clip elements 24, three in the example shown. The clip elements 24 are distributed along the case 4.

[0034] Each clip element 24 passes through the case 4 and the side plate 14.

[0035] In [Fig. 6], a detailed view of the section of [Fig. 5] can be seen showing The clip element 24. In this example, the clip element 24 has a longitudinal axis X and comprises a head 24.1 and four tabs 24.2 extending away from the X axis and away from the head 24.1. Preferably, the free end of the tabs is chamfered to facilitate their insertion into the case and the side plate. It will be understood that the number of tabs is not limited.

[0036] The clipping element is made of a material offering a certain degree of elastic deformability, particularly the tabs. The clipping element is, for example, made of plastic or metal, such as brass.

[0037] In this example, the head 24.1 has a through passage 24.3, opening between the legs 24.2. Its function will be described below.

[0038] In this advantageous example, the head has a truncated cone shape whose small base connects to the legs 24.2.

[0039] In a particularly advantageous manner, the side plate 14 has, at the mounting point of the clip element 24, a boss 26 oriented towards the case 4. The boss 26 is formed, for example, by stamping the plate. The boss has a hole 28 for the insertion of the clip element.

[0040] During stamping, the material of the side plate is cut so as to form two tabs facing each other, delimiting between them the hole 28, as well as the hole 28.

[0041] It will be understood that other boss configurations can be obtained depending on the process used.

[0042] The first frame 4 has a recess 30 housing the first insert 8 ([Fig.2]). The recess 30 is bordered in this example by a continuous rim 32. The first insert 8 also has a window 31 ([Fig.1]) aligned with the window 22 of the first frame 4 and houses the button 20, through which the button 20 is accessible to the user.

[0043] In a very advantageous way, the case 4 has on a first face intended to be in contact with the lateral face 14, recesses 34 at the right of each of the bosses, so as to house the bosses 26 and limit the thickness of the assembly.

[0044] In addition, the case 4 has holes 36 opening into the recesses and allowing the mounting of the clipping elements through the case 4 and the side plate 14.

[0045] Preferably, the holes 36 on the side of a second face of the case opposite the first face are bordered by a chamfer 37, the slope of which corresponds substantially to the inclination of the head 24.1 of the clipping element 24 so that, when the clipping element 24 is in place in the hole 36, the head 24.1 fits into the hole 36 in support against the chamfer 37, and is flush with the second face of the case 4 as is particularly visible on [Fig.6], also contributing to limiting the thickness of the side plate and case assembly.

[0046] The assembly of the case 4 onto the side plate 14 will now be described.

[0047] The case 4 is positioned on the side plate 14. Each boss 26 is received in a recess 34 and each hole 36 is aligned with a hole 28.

[0048] Each clip element is then brought close to the case 4, the tabs on the side of the case and the axis of the clip element substantially perpendicular to the case and aligned with the hole 36.

[0049] The tabs 24.3 come into contact with the chamfer 37, the chamfered ends of the tabs cooperate with the chamfer 37, causing the tabs to move closer together by elastic deformation and allowing the tabs to pass through the case 4 and the side plate 14. When the clipping element 24 has sufficiently penetrated the side plate, the tabs, under the effect of an elastic restoring force, move apart from each other and are axially immobilized by cooperating with the side plate 14. The case 4 is then held pressed against the side plate 14.

[0050] In one embodiment, a locking element (not shown) is inserted along the X-axis through the hole between the tabs to fix the tabs' position relative to each other and thus further improve the secure attachment of the case to the plate. The locking element is, for example, a slotted headless screw. The locking element is inserted into the clip element after the latter has been positioned in the case and the plate. If no locking element is inserted into the clip element, the latter may not have a through passage 24.3.

[0051] The number of clipping elements is in no way limiting.

[0052] The clip elements 24 are, for example, made of metal, for example brass, or of plastic. The choice of material for the clip elements will depend in particular on the material of the case. In the case of a relatively lightweight material such as aluminum alloys and titanium, clip elements made of a material Plastic fasteners can be used. In the case of frames made of heavier materials, it may be preferable to use metal clips.

[0053] The use of clip elements to fix a plastic material case also falls within the scope of this application.

[0054] In another embodiment, the clipping elements are made in one piece with the frame, for example when the latter is made of metal or plastic material.

[0055] In the case of a metal case, the clipping elements can be made by machining during the making of the case.

[0056] In the case of a case made of plastic material, the clipping elements can be made during the injection of the case.

[0057] The second case is fixed to the second plate in a similar manner.

[0058] The first and second inserts are then mounted in the first and second their respective builds.

[0059] In the example shown, the inserts are fixed to the cases by means of three screws, which offers the advantage of being easily replaceable. The number and location of the screws are in no way limiting.

[0060] In another example, the inserts are glued into the bottom of the recesses using double-sided adhesive or glue.

[0061] In another example, the inserts have clips, for example when the inserts are made of plastic material, which clip into the frames.

[0062] For example, the frames are made of metal, plastic material, wood. They can be made of several materials.

[0063] 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.

[0064] In the case of precious or semi-precious metal and / or high density the insert is advantageously hollow.

[0065] The material of the first case and that of the second case may be identical, similar or different.

[0066] The inserts can each be in several parts.

[0067] In this example, button 20 has an oval shape but this shape is in no way limiting.

[0068] Alternatively, the button movement can be parallel to the first plate. The first case and the first insert are then shaped to allow this translation.

[0069] The shape and dimensions of the first insert are such that the first insert 8 fits into the recess in the case and fills it entirely.

[0070] Alternatively, the insert(s) are in several parts, the parts extending along the length of the knife. It is also possible to combine inserts in several parts, some of which extend in width and others in length.

[0071] In another embodiment, the case(s) have an outer face without a recess and the insert is fixed to the outer face of the case.

[0072] In the example shown, the insert is bordered externally by the case. In another example, the case forms an interface between the side plate and the insert without being visible around the insert or only partially surrounding it.

[0073] In the example shown, both side plates are fitted with a body and an insert. A folding knife with only one of the plates fitted with a body and an insert does not fall outside the scope of the present invention.

[0074] 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 have a coating of such a material.

[0075] In one 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.

[0076] For example, the insert(s) are transparent and one or more LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are placed in the insert(s). A power supply is provided. In one example, one of the inserts is a photovoltaic panel and the other insert is equipped with LEDs; advantageously, a rechargeable battery is also provided.

[0077] In another example, the insert can be equipped with a transmitter so as to be able to generate a spare car key, or even a house key. Other functions are conceivable.

[0078] The invention provides, on the one hand, a folding knife with a new aesthetic in which the scales include a body and an insert. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, it eliminates the need for chemical adhesives or even plastic materials.

Claims

Demands

1. Folding knife comprising a central body (2) including at least one folding blade (12), a first side plate (14) and a second side plate (16), at least one handle (4) fixed to the first side plate (14) or to the second side plate (16) and at least one insert (8, 10) fixed to the handle (4), said handle (4) being fixed to the first side plate or to the second side plate by clipping.

2. Folding knife according to claim 1, comprising at least one clipping element (24) passing through the body (4) and the first side plate (14) or the second side plate (16).

3. Folding knife according to claim 2, wherein the first side plate (14) or the second side plate (16) has at least one hole (28) for mounting the clipping element (24), and at least one boss (26) through which the hole (28) passes.

4. Folding knife according to claim 3, in which the body (4) has, opposite the boss (26), a recess (34) to accommodate the boss (26).

5. Folding knife according to claim 4, in which the recess (34) is provided with a hole (36) for mounting the clipping element (24).

6. Folding knife according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein at least one clipping element (24) comprises a head (24.1) and tabs (24.2), said head (24.1) bearing against the body (4) and the tabs (24.2) bearing against the first side plate or the second side plate.

7. Folding knife according to claim 6, in which the head is traversed by a passage opening between the legs, and receiving a locking element, for example a headless screw.

8. Folding knife according to claim 6 or 7 in combination with claim 5, wherein the head (24.1) has a truncated conical shape and wherein the bore (36) of the frame has a chamfer (37) so that the head (24.1) is flush with the face of the frame (4).

9. A folding knife according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one clipping element is integral with the build.

10. Folding knife according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the insert (8, 10) is fixed to the frame (4, 6) by at least one screw, by gluing or clipping.

11. Folding knife according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising two handles each fixed to the first and second side plates by clipping.

12. Folding knife according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein at least one of the body pieces is made of metal, plastic material, or wood.

13. Folding knife according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein at least one insert is made of metal, wood, plastic material, glass or ceramic material.

14. Folding knife according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central body (2) has a corkscrew (13) on the side of the second side plate (16) and wherein the body (6) and the insert (8) on the second side plate (16) are shaped to house the corkscrew.

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