Folding Knife Spring-Urged Locking Arm Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding knives lack a reliable and safe mechanism for transitioning between a compact, closed position and a fully open locked position, with many prior designs either being complex or prone to accidental release.
Innovation Solution
A folding knife with a spring-urged self-repositioning safety lock arm that engages a blade shank retainment lock pin, providing constant engagement points for both fully open and fully closed positions through a movable locking arm and resilient coil spring mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a folding knife uses a simple locking mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of blade retention and safety during transition is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The locking arm is designed as a dynamic component that automatically repositions itself during blade transition. The arm moves between engaged and disengaged states based on blade position, providing adaptive locking without requiring complex control mechanisms. This dynamic behavior ensures reliable blade retention while maintaining mechanism simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is self-regulating through the spring-urged locking arm that automatically engages and disengages based on blade position. The system serves itself by using the transition motion to trigger the locking action, eliminating the need for separate actuation mechanisms and reducing overall complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If a folding knife uses a spring-urged self-repositioning locking arm, then the reliability of blade retention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking arm combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides blade retention through engagement with the lock pin, enables controlled transition through its movable connection to the handle, and ensures safety through the spring urging mechanism. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate components while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking arm serves multiple purposes within the locking mechanism: it acts as both the locking element and the transition control element, while the spring provides both the urging force for engagement and the resetting force for disengagement. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite the enhanced reliability provided by the spring mechanism.
3Reliability
If a folding knife maintains constant blade shank lock pin engagement, then the safety is improved, but the ease of operation for opening and closing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking arm creates a dynamic engagement system where the lock pin maintains constant connection to the blade shank, but the engagement state changes dynamically during transition. The arm's movement allows the pin to slide along the blade shank while maintaining contact, providing both safety and ease of operation through this dynamic interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking arm acts as an intermediary between the blade shank and the handle, providing constant engagement through the lock pin while mediating the transition motion. This intermediary mechanism allows the blade to move freely during transition while maintaining safety through continuous contact, resolving the contradiction between constant engagement and ease of operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures a secure and controlled transition between closed and open positions, maintaining blade safety and ease of use by utilizing a spring-urged locking mechanism that engages the blade shank lock pin, enhancing user safety and operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
spring-urged self-repositioning safety lock arm
Data Source
AI summary
A folding knife with an improved locking mechanism for a blade pivoting from a closed position to a secure open locked position. A spring urged release locking arm is slidably disposed within the knife handle by guide pins. A locking arm projection is engaged on a blade shank retainment locking pin allowing selective repositioning of the locking pin during operation releasing the blade from closed retained position to fully open and extended lock position upon locking arm movement.