Folding Knife Lock Assembly With Offset Omega Spring Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional folding knives face challenges in combining assisted opening and locking features due to space constraints, leading to safety and durability issues, and most designs either lack both functionalities or increase handle size.
Innovation Solution
A knife design incorporating a torsion bar for assisted opening and a locking assembly with omega springs and a transfer bar, positioned offset within the handle to provide both functions without increasing handle size, using internal pockets and dividers to guide the components' movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If both assisted opening and locking features are combined in a folding knife, then the knife provides improved safety and ease of operation, but the handle size and thickness must be increased to accommodate the additional space requirements around the tang
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the omega spring longitudinally offset from the tang area, utilizing the length dimension of the handle rather than consuming lateral space. This dimensional repositioning allows the locking mechanism to function without increasing handle thickness or overall volume, while the torsion bar provides assisted opening through a different spatial arrangement that doesn't interfere with the omega spring's longitudinal positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates both the torsion bar and omega spring within the handle's internal structure, nesting these mechanisms within the existing handle volume. The omega spring is positioned in a location that utilizes unused internal space, and the torsion bar is configured to work within the same handle envelope, allowing both features to coexist without increasing external dimensions.
2Reliability
If the handle size is increased to accommodate both assisted opening and locking mechanisms, then both functionalities can be implemented, but the knife becomes less compact and less practical for various applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the omega spring and torsion bar mechanisms to be universally applicable across different knife sizes and configurations. The longitudinal offset positioning of the omega spring creates a standardized arrangement that can be scaled to fit various handle lengths, making the design adaptable to different knife applications while maintaining both locking and assisted opening functionalities.
3Volume of moving object
If conventional folding knife designs are used without both assisted opening and locking, then the handle remains compact, but the knife experiences safety concerns and operational difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the omega spring as an intermediary mechanism that enables locking functionality without requiring the tang area to be occupied by both locking and assisted opening components. The transfer bar acts as another intermediary, transmitting force from the omega spring to the lock pin, allowing the locking function to be achieved through a mediating mechanism that preserves space around the tang for the torsion bar's assisted opening function.
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 design ensures reliable and safe operation with both locking and assisted opening capabilities, maintaining a compact handle size and improving durability.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion bar configured to provide assisted opening of the blade from the closed position to the open position
Implementation Method 2
an omega spring and a transfer bar coupled between the lock pin and the omega spring, the lock pin being movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and the omega spring biasing the lock pin toward the locked position via the transfer bar
Data Source
AI summary
A knife includes a handle and a blade that is rotatably coupled to the handle. A locking assembly is provided and includes a lock pin, an omega spring, and a transfer bar coupled between the lock pin and the omega spring for biasing the lock pin into a locking position to lock the knife closed or open. The locking assembly may further include a supplemental omega spring on an opposing side of the knife to further assist in biasing the lock pin into the locking position. A torsion bar is also provided within the handle to provide assisted opening functionality. The transfer bar extends at least partially through the handle to locate the omega spring in the handle offset from the torsion bar. The locking assembly assists with holding the blade in the open and closed positions, while the torsion bar aids in assisted opening and closing of the blade.