Knife Assembly Retainer for Secure, Manual Blade Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hunting and outdoor gear lacks efficient and secure methods for carrying and accessing knives while maintaining user mobility and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A knife assembly with a receiver that includes a retainer biased to retain the knife blade, allowing manual release through an accessible opening, enabling secure attachment to gloves or handles without the need for additional tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a retainer is biased toward a retaining configuration to securely hold the knife blade, then the reliability of the attachment is improved, but the ease of operation for manual release deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A key is introduced as an intermediary tool to interact with the retainer mechanism. The key fits through the opening and engages with the retainer to manually overcome the biasing force, enabling blade release without directly manipulating the biased retainer components. This mediator resolves the contradiction by providing a simple interface for release while maintaining the strong retaining force during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The release mechanism is segmented into separate functional elements: the biased retainer for automatic retention, the opening for key access, and the key itself for manual actuation. This segmentation allows the retainer to maintain strong holding force while the key provides a dedicated, simple interface for release, resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and easy operation.
2Ease of operation
If the opening is positioned for accessible force application to release the retainer, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of preventing accidental release may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The key serves as a required intermediary between the user and the release mechanism. Even though the opening is accessible, the key acts as a mediator that must be inserted and manipulated to release the blade. This prevents accidental release through everyday movements while maintaining ease of operation when the key is deliberately used.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the key as a self-contained release tool that must be deliberately introduced into the opening. The accessibility of the opening combined with the need for the key creates a self-protecting mechanism where normal wear and movement cannot accidentally trigger release, but intentional use with the key provides easy 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
Facilitates secure and convenient access to knives during outdoor activities, ensuring the knife remains attached during movement and can be easily detached when needed, enhancing user safety and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a retainer biased toward a retaining configuration in which the retainer engages the stop to prevent the portion of the knife blade from being removed from the cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A knife assembly includes a knife blade having a stop and a receiver having a cavity for receiving a portion of the knife blade. In some implementations the receiver is secured to a glove, and in other implementations it is secured to a knife handle. The receiver includes a retainer biased toward a retaining configuration in which the retainer engages the stop to prevent the portion of the knife blade from being removed from the cavity. An opening in the receiver provides access to the retainer. The opening is positioned such that a force may be applied therethrough to overcome a bias of the retainer and adjust the retainer to a non-retaining configuration, allowing the portion of the knife blade to be manually removed from the cavity.