Folding Knife Back Bar Release Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing folding knife lock mechanisms lack a versatile release mechanism that can efficiently transition between engaging the lock bar and a release lever to disengage the tang engagement portion from the blade, often requiring complex configurations or additional components.

Innovation Solution

A locking system for a folding knife featuring a blade engaging member with a tang engagement portion and a release member that repositions the blade engaging member to lower rotational resistance, allowing direct engagement with the blade to open it, utilizing a cam surface to interact with the lock back bar and a lateral engagement member to facilitate easy opening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional lock back bar mechanism is used with pivot attachment and lever action, then the blade can be locked in open position, but the mechanism requires complex configurations and additional components for release

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade locking reliabilityVSAvoidrelease mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the release function from the traditional complex lever system and implements it through a simple button that directly actuates the lock bar. The button mechanism removes unnecessary intermediate components while maintaining reliable blade locking through the retained lock bar design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The lock bar serves multiple functions: it locks the blade in open position, provides a release mechanism through direct actuation, and maintains structural integrity. The single lock bar component performs what traditionally required multiple specialized parts, simplifying the overall mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a pushbutton device engages a bar spring with oblique surface to reposition the lock bar, then the release mechanism is simplified, but the mechanism still requires multiple interacting components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelease mechanism structureVSAvoidblade opening effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The button mechanism is designed to directly move the lock bar without requiring separate spring engagement or oblique surface interactions. The user's direct pressure on the button self-servicefully actuates the entire release sequence, eliminating the need for multiple interacting components and reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Force

If the lock back bar is configured as a first-degree lever with pivot attachment, then mechanical advantage is provided for disengagement, but the mechanism requires precise pivot positioning and additional attachment components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisengagement force multiplicationVSAvoidpivot attachment structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the pivot attachment structure entirely from the lock bar design. Instead of using a first-degree lever with pivot point, the lock bar is directly actuated by the button, extracting the unnecessary pivot mechanism while maintaining the ability to apply disengagement force through direct linear motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Device complexity

If a release lever pivotally attached to the blade with projection to lift the locking lug is used, then the release mechanism is simplified, but the blade structure must accommodate additional attachment points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelease mechanism componentsVSAvoidblade manufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of attaching the release mechanism to the blade and having it lift the lock bar, the patent inverts the approach: the button is attached to the handle and directly actuates the lock bar to release the blade. This inversion eliminates the need for blade attachment points while maintaining release functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 system reduces rotational resistance and allows for smooth transition from a closed to open position with reduced effort, maintaining the lock back bar in a higher energy state for secure locking and easy operation, enhancing user safety and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

there is a biasing member configured to bias the lock back bar so the tang engagement portion forcefully engages the tang surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the release member having a cam surface configured to engage the lock back bar

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Data Source

PatentUS8296958B1Folding knife with mechanism to reposition back bar

Publication Date: 2012.10.30 GOOD SPORTSMAN MARKETING LLC

AI summary

A folding knife having a back bar configured to engage the tang portion of a blade. A release member mechanism is utilized to engage the back bar to apply force thereto to at least partially disengage the back bar from the tang portion of the blade for purposes of repositioning the blade with respect to the handle.