Gravity-Telescopic Handle Holder for One-Handed Blade Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foldable and retractable pocket knives require one hand to operate the folding and unfolding of the blade, and another hand to hold the handle, while retractable knives need one hand to extend and retract the blade and another to unlock the blade button, making them cumbersome and hazardous to use.
Innovation Solution
A handle holder configured with a gravity-telescopic mechanism that allows the blade to be extended and retracted using gravity, enabling one-handed operation for extending, retracting, and locking the blade, and allowing for simple and effective installation and replacement of the blade.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional foldable pocket knife is used, then the blade can be extended and retracted, but one hand must operate the folding/unfolding while another hand holds the handle, reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The blade mechanism uses the user's own hand weight as the operating force. When the user places their hand on the handle, gravity automatically extends the blade; when the hand is lifted, gravity automatically retracts the blade. This eliminates the need for separate operating mechanisms and achieves one-handed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a spring-loaded counterbalance mechanism that counteracts the blade's weight. The spring is pre-loaded to provide upward force that balances the blade's downward gravitational force, enabling the blade to be held in position and allowing gravity to drive the extension/retraction motion when the user's hand weight is applied.
2Ease of operation
If a retractable pocket knife with blade button is used, then one hand can extend and retract the blade, but another hand is needed to unlock the blade button, increasing operation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism automatically locks and unlocks based on the blade position. When the blade extends to its full length, the cam mechanism automatically engages the locking surface to secure it. When the blade retracts, the cam disengages automatically. This eliminates the need for a separate blade button or locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism is pre-loaded to store potential energy that cushions the blade's movement. The spring provides continuous force to maintain blade tension and ensures smooth, controlled extension and retraction without requiring additional locking or unlocking actions by the user.
3Reliability
If conventional blade mechanisms are used, then the blade can be extended for use, but there is risk of accidental extension causing injury
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism is designed with a specific geometry where the locking surface is only engaged when the blade is in the extended position. The cam's shape prevents accidental engagement during normal handling, as the user's hand weight must be applied in a specific manner (palm down on the handle) to trigger extension. This preliminary design feature prevents unintended blade extension.
4Ease of operation
If a gravity-telescopic configuration is implemented, then one-handed operation is achieved, but the mechanism requires precise gravitational control
Solution Approach 1:
The spring constant and pre-load force are carefully selected to match the user's hand weight and the blade's mass. By adjusting these parameters, the system is tuned to achieve neutral equilibrium where the blade extends when hand weight is applied and retracts when it is removed. This parameter optimization reduces the sensitivity to manufacturing tolerances.
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
The handle holder provides a simple, cost-effective, and safe solution for operating a blade tool, allowing for efficient one-handed use and minimizing the risk of accidental blade extension.
Implementation Method 1
provides a gravity-telescopic configuration for retracting a blade to be concealed in a blade cavity of the handle holder and extending the blade out of the blade cavity for use due to gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A handle holder is configured not only as a handle of a blade tool but also provides a gravity-telescopic configuration for retracting a blade to be concealed in a blade cavity of the handle holder and extending the blade out of the blade cavity for use due to gravity. The handle holder includes a locker device, a first holder member and a second holder member pivotally connected with the first holder member to define a blade cavity therebetween for receiving a blade holder slidably therein between a locking position, an unlocking position and a detaching position. The locker device is configured to selectively lock relative positions of the first holder member and the second holder member with respect to each other so as to selectively lock the handle holder in the enclosing condition and the operable condition