Nesting Blades and Single Locking Mechanism for Thin Folding Knife
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional folding knives with multiple blades require a thicker profile due to separate pivot pins for each blade, and existing locking mechanisms are limited to single blade knives, lacking efficiency in accommodating multiple blades.
Innovation Solution
A folding knife design with nesting blades coupled at a common pivot axis, allowing them to pivot within a shared plane, and a single flexible locking mechanism that locks multiple blades in their open positions, enabling efficient use of multiple blades while maintaining a thin profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple blades are coupled to the handle on separate pivot pins, then each blade can be separately pivotable in its own plane, but the knife must be thick enough to accommodate the thickness of each blade, resulting in a thicker profile
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple blades are coupled to the handle on a common pivot pin rather than separate pivot pins, merging the pivot function into a single point. This allows all blades to share the same pivot location and reduces the overall thickness requirement of the knife handle.
Solution Approach 2:
The blades are configured to nest within each other when closed, with each blade fitting into the contour of the previous blade. This nesting arrangement minimizes the overall thickness of the closed knife while maintaining the capability to deploy multiple blades separately.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is implemented for multiple blades, then blades can be secured in open position, but conventional liner locks are limited to single blade knives
Solution Approach 1:
A single locking mechanism is designed to control multiple blades simultaneously. The locking element can engage with any combination of blades (first blade alone, second blade alone, or both together) through a unified locking system, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms for each blade.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be dynamically adaptable to different blade configurations. The locking element can selectively engage with different blades based on which blades are deployed, providing flexible locking capability whether one or multiple blades are in use.
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
Enables the use of multiple blades with a single locking mechanism, allowing for a thinner profile and efficient operation of either blade independently or in combination, addressing the thickness and locking mechanism limitations of conventional knives.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible, resilient locking element. When either the smaller blade, or the larger and smaller blades in combination, are opened, the locking element can spring into place behind end surfaces of the blade(s), preventing the blade(s) from being moved to their respective closed positions
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a folding knife comprises a handle portion and first and second nesting blades pivotally coupled to the handle portion for pivoting movement between respective open and closed positions. The second blade in one embodiment is formed with a recess or notch which is sized and shaped to receive the first blade, allowing both blades to pivot within a common plane. The knife can also include a locking mechanism that is operable to retain the blades against pivoting movement when the blades are in their respective open positions. In particular configurations, the locking mechanism comprises a resilient locking arm configured to lock both blades in their open positions or first blade alone in its respective locking position. In certain embodiments, a folding tool comprises plural nesting tool elements other than knife blades.