Folding blade knife

Abstract

Movable Blade Knife This knife (1) comprises: a handle (2); a blade (7) that rotates in an open position and a closed position; a fixed ferrule (4) arranged around a heel (8) of the blade (7). The heel (8) includes an opening flat (83), a closing flat (84), and a cam profile (81) separating the opening flat (83) and the closing flat (84). The ferrule (4) includes an elastically deformable element (6) formed as a single unit with the ferrule (4). The elastically deformable element (6) is configured to bear against the opening flat (83) in the open position, to bear against the closing flat (84) in the closed position, and to deform upon contact with the cam profile (81) when the blade (7) is moved by the user between the open and closed positions, or vice versa. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Movable blade knife

[0001] The present invention relates to a knife with a retractable blade.

[0002] In this description, the distal end of an element or device means the end furthest from the user's hand and arm, and the proximal end means the end closest to the user's hand and arm. Similarly, the distal direction means the direction away from the user's hand and arm, and the proximal direction means the opposite direction.

[0003] It is known to use switchblade knives. Switchblade knives include means for locking the blade in the open position to prevent the blade from folding back towards the handle after opening. This locking of the blade in the open position provides safety to the user insofar as the blade is prevented from accidentally returning to the closed position during use of the knife.

[0004] However, there is a need to provide a folding blade knife offering a similar level of security without necessarily having to lock the blade in the open position.

[0005] In this context, the invention aims to overcome all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, the invention aims to provide a folding blade knife, without a blade locking mechanism in the open position, but offering a high level of safety.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a knife comprising:

[0007] a handle extending along a longitudinal axis A,

[0008] a movable blade rotating about an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A between an open position, in which the blade is deployed outside the handle and extends distally with respect to the handle, and a closed position, in which the blade is folded inside a cavity in the handle,

[0009] a fixed ferrule arranged at a distal end of the handle around a heel of the blade, the heel including

[0010] a flat opening,

[0011] a closing flat, and

[0012] a cam profile separating the opening flat and the closing flat, the ferrule comprising

[0013] an elastically deformable element formed as a single piece with the ferrule, the elastically deformable element being configured to press against the opening flat when the blade is in the open position, to press against the closing flat when the blade is in the closed position, and to deform upon contact with the cam profile when the blade is moved by the user between the open position and the closed position, or vice versa.

[0014] Thus, the elastically deformable element is configured to hold the blade in open and closed positions, without blocking it.

[0015] Thus, the knife according to the invention provides a level of safety for the user without a blade lock. Indeed, the blade is not locked because the user simply needs to move it, without any other action required, to overcome the resistance of the elastically deformable element. In other words, the user only needs to apply a torque to the blade exceeding a predetermined threshold value for the blade to move from the open or closed position. However, the resistance offered by the elastically deformable element prevents the blade from folding or extending unintentionally.

[0016] Thus, the knife lacks means of locking the blade in the open position.

[0017] The cam profile can be configured to cause the elastically deformable element to flex radially outwards. This provides the user with a visual indication that the blade is not stabilized, i.e., that it is between the stable open and closed positions.

[0018] The ferrule is axially positioned at the blade's tang. Thus, the flats and cam profile of the tang interact with the ferrule, more precisely with the elastically deformable element of the ferrule, when the tang pivots. The ferrule surrounds a tenon in the handle, and the tenon receives the blade's tang. The blade's tang is pivotally mounted on the handle, more precisely on the handle's tenon, and on the ferrule, by means of a pin. The pin is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the elastically deformable element has one free end. The other end is fixed to the ferrule. The elastically deformable element extends along the longitudinal axis A. It may be a spring tab.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the free end is proximal. The end attached to the ferrule is a distal end.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the knife includes audible indication means configured to emit a sound indicating to a user that the blade reaches the open position and the closed position.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the audible indication means include a striking edge arranged at the free end of the elastically deformable element, the striking edge being configured to strike against a striking surface of the ferrule in order to generate a sound when the blade reaches the open position or the closed position.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the striking surface is arranged at a distal end of an axial projection of the ferrule. The projection extends distally with respect to the ferrule.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the elastically deformable element has a decreasing width in a proximal direction.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the knife includes haptic indication means configured to provide the user with tactile feedback when the blade reaches either the open or closed position.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the haptic indication means include a transverse edge separating the opening flat or the closing flat from the cam profile.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the blade heel is convex only. In other words, the blade heel, and more specifically its opening flat, its closing flat, and its cam profile, are devoid of any notch or concavity.

[0028] According to one possibility, the tip of the blade is rounded.

[0029] According to one possibility, the handle is made of wood.

[0030] According to one possibility, the elastically deformable element is closer to a distal edge of the ferrule than to an opposite proximal edge of the ferrule. The axial distance separating the distal edge of the ferrule from the fixed end of the elastically deformable element is less than that separating the proximal edge of the ferrule from the end of the elastically deformable element.

[0031] According to one possibility, the ferrule comprises two oblique slots arranged on either side of the elastically deformable element. The slots converge in a proximal direction. The slots have a constant width. The slots are oblong.

[0032] According to one possibility, the knife includes a pin inserted through a tenon of the handle and through two diametrically opposed openings of the ferrule to fix the ferrule on the tenon of the handle, and the elastically deformable element is arranged at 90° to either of the two openings of the ferrule in which the pin extends.

[0033] According to one possibility, the ferrule includes a slot to allow the passage of the blade, and the elastically deformable element is arranged diametrically opposite to the slot intended for the passage of the blade.

[0034] According to one possibility, the ferrule has a frustoconical shape. The ferrule is flared in the proximal direction and narrows in the distal direction. The ferrule and the handle tenon have complementary shapes.

[0035] The ferrule is fixed relative to the handle. Thus, the ferrule cannot pivot or slide relative to the handle.

[0036] According to one possibility, the rounded cam profile is configured to externally flex the elastically deformable element when the blade passes between the open and closed positions.

[0037] According to one possibility, the opening flat and the closing flat are inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis A when the blade is in the open or closed position.

[0038] According to one possibility, the opening flat and the closing flat are inclined towards the blade. The opening flat and the closing flat are inclined towards the blade and converge with the blade. The opening flat and the closing flat may be separated from the blade by a notch. The opening flat delimits the notch with a blade opening stop, this opening stop being configured to abut against the tenon or the ferrule when the blade is in the open position.

[0039] According to one possibility, the opening flat and the closing flat have the same inclination.

[0040] According to one possibility, the opening flat and the closing flat have different inclinations.

[0041] According to one possibility, the elastically deformable element is configured to protrude radially outside the ferrule in the deformed position in order to provide a visual indication to the user that the blade is between the open and closed positions.

[0042] According to one possibility, the tenon is separated from the handle by a distal shoulder, and the ferrule does not extend radially beyond this shoulder. The ferrule is contained within a virtual cylinder defined by the distal shoulder. The elastically deformable element in the deformed position is configured so as not to extend radially beyond the distal shoulder.

[0043] Thus, the elastically deformable element presents little risk of injuring the user's hand when it is deformed, i.e. at the moment of the movement of the blade between the open and closed positions.

[0044] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description of an embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a knife according to one embodiment of the invention, - [Fig.2] is an exploded perspective view of a knife according to a mode of realization of the invention, - [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional view of a knife according to one embodiment of the invention, with the blade in the open position, - [Fig.4] is a cross-sectional view of a knife according to one embodiment of the invention, with the blade in the closed position, - [Fig. 5] is a top view of a knife according to one embodiment of the invention, - [Fig.6] is a side view of a knife according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0045] Fig. 1 shows a knife 1 according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0046] The knife 1 includes, in particular, a handle 2 extending along a longitudinal axis A, a tenon 3 integral with the handle 2, a ferrule 4 attached to the tenon 3, and a blade 7 rotatably mounted on the tenon 3 so that the blade 7 can be moved between an open and a closed position. The knife 1 may include a pin 5 serving as an axis of rotation for the blade 7 and also serving to secure the ferrule 4 to the tenon 3. According to the invention, the knife 1 includes an elastically deformable element 6 configured to secure, without locking, the blade 7 in the open and closed positions.

[0047] The handle 2 is intended to be grasped by a user's hand in order to handle the knife 1. The handle 2 comprises a distal end 20a, a proximal end 20b, and a longitudinal cavity 21 extending along the handle 2 from the distal end to receive the blade 7. The handle 2 may include a through opening 22 that may extend orthogonally to the longitudinal axis A and is intended to receive an attachment, for example a wrist strap, for hanging or attaching the knife 1 to a support or to the user's wrist. Two hollow rivets 23 may be positioned at the ends of the through opening 22. The through opening 22 is preferably located near the proximal end 20b, in a portion of the handle 2 away from the cavity 21, so that the through opening 22 does not pass through the cavity 21.At its distal end 20a, the handle 2 may include a distal shoulder 24 separating the tenon 3 from the handle 2 and having a diameter DM which is preferably greater than the maximum diameter DV of the ferrule 4. The handle 2 may be made of wood.

[0048] The tenon 3 is configured to receive the ferrule 4 and guide the rotation of the blade 7. The tenon 3 includes two parts defining a through slot 31. The slot 31 extends in a vertical longitudinal plane and may open on either side of the tenon 3. The tenon 3 includes a proximal end 30b integral with the handle 2 and an opposing distal end 30a, which may be flat and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A. The tenon 3 may include a transverse bore 32 extending orthogonally to the longitudinal axis A. The transverse bore 32 is intended to receive the pin 5, which may be press-fitted into it. The transverse bore 32 crosses the slot 31 of the tenon 3. The interior of the through slot 32 is delimited by two opposing internal faces 33 which are configured to guide the rotation of the blade 7 by clamping the heel 8 of the blade 7. The external lateral wall of the tenon 3 may have a frustoconical shape, narrowing in the distal direction.The maximum diameter of tenon 3 is less than the diameter of handle 2 of knife 1. Tenon 3 is arranged at the end. distal end 20a of handle 2, from which tenon 3 projects distally. Tenon 3 is fixed relative to handle 2. Tenon 3 and handle 2 may form a single piece. Tenon 3 may be made of wood.

[0049] The ferrule 4 is ring-shaped with a longitudinal slot 41 for deploying or retracting the blade 7 and, diametrically opposite the slot, the elastically deformable element 6. The ferrule 4 comprises a distal end 40a defining a distal opening, and a proximal end 40b defining a proximal opening for fitting the ferrule 4 onto the tenon 3. Two diametrically opposed openings 42 are formed through the ferrule 4 to receive the pin 5, which serves as the axis of rotation for the blade 7. The openings 42 may be located closer to the distal end 40a of the ferrule 4 than to its proximal end 40b. The pin 5 is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A. It may be axially located at the same level as the elastically deformable element 6.

[0050] The ferrule 4 may be of a truncated conical shape complementary to the tenon 3. The distal end 40a of the ferrule 4 may define a distal stop 43 against which the blade 7 abuts in the open position. The ferrule 4 has a slot 44 in which the elastically deformable element 6 extends. An axial projection 46 may extend distally into the slot 44 and may define at its end a striking surface 47 for receiving the proximal end 60b of the elastically deformable element 6 in order to generate a sound.

[0051] The ferrule 4 and the tenon 3 may have the same axial length so that the ferrule 4 completely covers the tenon 3. It should be noted that the ferrule 4 is fixed relative to the tenon 3 and the handle 2, the pin 5 being inserted through both the ferrule 4 and the tenon 3, thus preventing any rotation or axial displacement of the ferrule 4 relative to the tenon 3. The ferrule 4 may be metallic. The ferrule 4 and the elastically deformable element 6 may be a single piece.

[0052] The elastically deformable element 6 is configured to stabilize the blade 7 in the open and closed positions, without blocking it. Thus, the open and closed positions of the blade 7 are stable equilibrium positions.

[0053] The elastically deformable element 6 can be in the form of a spring tab capable of elastically deforming between a support position, Figures 1 and 3-6, in which the elastically deformable element 6 presses against the heel 8 of the blade 7 to stabilize it in its open or closed position, and a transient position (not shown), where the elastically deformable element 6 can be radially deformed outwards to allow the blade 7 to move between the open and closed positions. Thus, the elastically deformable element 6 is radially mobile. The movement of the elastically deformable element 6 between the support position and the transient position is caused by the rotation of the blade 7 by the user towards one or the other of the closed and open positions. The movement of the deformable elastic element from the transient position to the support position is caused by the elasticity of the elastically deformable element 6.

[0054] The elastically deformable element 6 may have a proximal end 60b and a distal end 60a. The distal end 60a is advantageously fixed to the ferrule 4. The proximal end 60b is free. Thus, the elastically deformable element 6 has a free end 60b oriented towards the handle 2, or in other words, oriented opposite to the direction in which the blade 7 extends in the open position.

[0055] It should be noted that the elastically deformable element 6 may have a width 1 that decreases towards its proximal end 60b. The proximal end 60b may have a striking edge 61 configured to strike against the ferrule 4 each time the elastically deformable element 6 returns to the resting position. In other words, in the resting position, the free end 60b of the elastically deformable element 6 is in contact with the ferrule 4. Thus, an audible click can be perceived by the user each time the blade 7 reaches the open or closed position. Furthermore, the elastically deformable element 6 in the resting position thus separates the opening 44 of the ferrule 4 into two oblong slots 45. The elastically deformable element 6 may be located closer to the distal end 40a of the ferrule 4 than to its proximal end 40b.The elastically deformable element 6 includes an internal bearing face 62, which may be flat, configured to bear against the heel 8 of the blade 7 in order to create a non-blocking resistance to the movement of the blade 7 out of the closed and open positions.

[0056] The elastically deformable element 6 can be made of or comprise a metal such as, for example, stainless steel. The elastically deformable element 6 can be formed by cutting through the ferrule 4. In the example illustrated in Figures 1-6, the knife 1 comprises a single elastically deformable element 6.

[0057] It should be noted that the elastically deformable element 6 can be configured to project radially outwards from the ferrule 4, with the free end 60b of the elastically deformable element 6 extending radially outwards, in order to provide the user with a visual indication that the blade 7 has not yet reached the desired open or closed position. However, the elastically deformable element 6 can be configured so that the free end 60b does not extend beyond the diameter defined by the distal shoulder 24 separating the tenon 3 from the handle 2.

[0058] The blade 7 has a distal end 70a which preferably includes a rounded edge 71, a proximal end forming the heel 8 of the blade 7, and a cutting edge 72 extending from the proximal end and along a working portion 73 of the blade 7. The blade 7 may have only one cutting edge 72, the back 74 of the blade 7 not being sharp. The heel 8 and the working portion 73 are separated by two diametrically opposed notches 75. The notch 75 located on the back side of the blade 7 can define an opening stop 76 intended to come into contact with a distal face 34 of the tenon 3 and / or the distal end 40a of the ferrule 4 when the blade 7 is in the open position.

[0059] The heel 8 of the blade 7 extends inside the tenon 3 and includes a central opening 81 for the passage of the pin 5. The heel 8 of the blade 7 includes, opposite the working portion 73, a cam profile 82 with a rounded convex shape. The cam profile 82 may have a constant radius r with respect to the axis of rotation of the blade 7, and thus the cam profile 82 may, for example, have a circular shape, as illustrated in [Fig. 3] or 4. According to another possibility not shown, the cam profile 82 may have a variable radius r, which makes it possible to create a variable force, in particular increasing or decreasing, in the deployment or folding of the blade 7 towards the open or closed position.

[0060] On either side of the cam profile, the heel 8 comprises an opening flat 83 and a closing flat 84 against which the inner bearing face 62 of the elastically deformable element 6 is intended to bear when the blade 7 is in the open and closed positions. The opening flat 83 and the closing flat 84 can be inclined in a distal direction (blade 7 open), so that the heel 8 narrows towards the working portion of the blade 7. The heel 8 can have a symmetrical shape with respect to a plane dividing the blade 7 in two lengthwise and perpendicular to the view illustrated in [Fig. 3]. Thus, the opening flat 83 and the closing flat 84 can have the same angle of inclination with respect to the axis of the blade 7.In other embodiments, the opening flat 83 and the closing flat 84 may have different angles of inclination, so that the force required to overcome the resistance of the elastically deformable element 6 to the deployment or folding of the blade 7 may be different. The heel 8 may also include two transverse edges 85 separating the closing flat 84 from the cam profile 82 and / or the opening flat 83 from the cam profile 82. These projecting edges 85, by rubbing against the elastically deformable element 6, may provide tactile feedback to the user when the blade 7 leaves or reaches the open and closed positions. The blade 7 may be made of metal, for example, stainless steel. The blade 7 and the tenon 3 may form a single piece.

[0061] It will be noted that the heel 8 of the blade 7 is devoid of notches or any concavity 21. The heel 8 of the blade 7 has a purely convex shape.

[0062] The blade 7 is movable in rotation about a transverse axis, relative to the tenon 3 and the handle 2, between an open position, Figures 1, 3, 5-6, and a Closed position, [Fig. 4]. In the open position, the blade 7 is deployed for use and extends distally from the handle 2. In the closed position, the blade 7 is retracted into the cavity 21 of the handle 2. Most of the blade 7 is concealed within the handle 2; only the back of the blade 7 may protrude from the cavity 21 so that the user can grasp it to deploy the blade 7. The rotation of the blade 7 between the open and closed positions, and vice versa, is caused by the user. Specifically, the deployment or retraction of the blade 7 results from a force exerted by the user directly on the blade 7. The user does not need to operate any control or lever to move the blade 7. The blade 7 is rotationally mobile only.

[0063] The blade 7, and more precisely its heel 8, is connected to the ferrule 4, and to the tenon 3 and therefore to the handle 2, by a pivot connection materialized by the pin 5 and the openings 32, 42, 81 through which the pin 5 passes.

[0064] Considering the closing flat 84 and the opening flat 83, and the elastically deformable element 6 that bears against these flats, there is a form of resistance preventing the blade 7 from inadvertently leaving the closed or open position. It is important to note that the blade 7 is not blocked or locked and that this resistance is overcome as soon as the user applies a torque to the blade 7 exceeding a predetermined threshold value. No action other than pivoting the blade 7 is required by the user, which provides ease of use while ensuring a level of safety since the blade 7 cannot inadvertently leave the closed and open positions, for example, when the knife 1 is in the user's pocket, or when the user is using the knife 1.

[0065] It is clear from the above description that the knife 1 according to the invention offers both safety and ease of use.

[0066] Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described above, this embodiment having been given only by way of example. Modifications are possible, particularly with regard to the construction of the various devices or by the substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. Knife (1) comprising: a handle (2) extending along a longitudinal axis A, a blade (7) rotatable about an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A between an open position, in which the blade (7) is deployed outside the handle (2) and extends distally with respect to the handle (2), and a closed position, in which the blade (7) is folded inside a cavity (21) in the handle (2), a fixed ferrule (4) arranged at a distal end of the handle (2) around a heel (8) of the blade (7), the heel (8) including an opening flat (83), a closing flat (84), and a cam profile (82) separating the opening flat (83) and the closing flat (84), the ferrule (4) comprising an elastically deformable element (6) formed as a single piece with the ferrule (4), the elastically deformable element (6) being configured to press against the opening flat (83) when the blade (7) is in the open position,to press against the closing flat (84) when the blade (7) is in the closed position, and to deform upon contact with the cam profile (81) when the blade (7) is moved by the user between the open and closed positions, or vice versa.

2. Knife (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the elastically deformable element (6) has a free end (60b).

3. Knife (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the free end (60b) is proximal.

4. Knife (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the knife (1) comprises audible indication means configured to emit a sound indicating to a user that the blade (7) reaches the open position and the closed position.

5. Knife (1) according to the preceding claim when it depends on claim 2 or 3, wherein the audible indication means include a striking edge (61) arranged at the free end (60b) of the elastically deformable element (6), the striking edge (61) being configured to strike against a striking surface (47) of the ferrule (4) in order to generate a sound when the blade (7) reaches the open position or the closed position.

6. Knife (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the striking surface (47) is arranged at a distal end (40a) of an axial projection (46) of the ferrule (4).

7. Knife (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elastically deformable element (6) has a decreasing width in a proximal direction.

8. Knife (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the knife (1) comprises haptic indication means configured to provide the user with tactile indication when the blade (7) reaches either the open or closed position.

9. Knife (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the haptic indication means include a transverse edge (85) separating the opening flat (83) or the closing flat (84) from the cam profile (81).

10. Knife (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heel (8) of the blade (7) is convex only.

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