Lockable knife block

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional knife storage solutions lack a secure mechanism to prevent unauthorized removal of knives without releasing a lock, posing safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

A lockable knife block with an interlock mechanism that requires simultaneous release to remove a knife, featuring a mechanical structure with rotating latches and a spring mechanism to secure knives in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional knife storage solution is used, then knives are easily accessible, but unauthorized removal of knives is possible posing safety concerns

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidknife accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is segmented into multiple independent components: rotating latches for each knife slot, a central interlock mechanism, and individual release buttons. Each slot's latch operates independently but is controlled by the central interlock, allowing selective knife removal only when the interlock is disengaged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The interlock mechanism must be disengaged before any knife can be removed from the block. This preliminary action (releasing the interlock) prevents unauthorized or accidental knife removal by requiring a deliberate two-step process: first disengage interlock, then remove knife.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If an interlock mechanism with rotating latches is implemented, then knife security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveknife securityVSAvoidmechanical structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple locking functions are merged into a single centralized interlock mechanism. The interlock controls all rotating latches simultaneously through a common drive shaft, so one action (pressing the release button) disengages all latches at once, simplifying the user interface despite multiple locking points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring mechanism automatically returns the rotating latches to the locked position after the interlock is disengaged and before the next knife insertion. The mechanism self-regulates without requiring user intervention to reset each latch individually.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 knives remain fixed within the block until the interlock mechanism is properly released, enhancing safety by preventing unauthorized removal.

Implementation Method 1

a spring mechanism to secure knives in place

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring mechanism: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS11191378B2Lockable knife block

Publication Date: 2021.12.07 SPENCE JERRY

AI summary

The lockable knife block comprises a knife block and one or more knives. The knife block is a mechanical structure that stores one or more knives. The lockable knife block is a locking structure. The locking knife block comprises an interlock mechanism that inhibits an individual from removing an individual knife selected from the one or more knives from the knife block without releasing the interlock mechanism. The interlock mechanism is a lockable structure.