Rotating Lock Blade Cover for Axe Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional blade covers for axes expose the sharp edge when the hammer head is used, posing a risk of unintentional injury as they typically cover both the sharp edge and the hammer head, requiring removal and increasing the risk of accidental cuts.

Innovation Solution

A blade cover with a locking mechanism that attaches to the axe via a rotatable switch and receiver, ensuring the cover remains secure during hammer head use and preventing accidental exposure of the sharp edge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the blade cover covers both the sharp edge and the hammer head, then the sharp edge is protected from accidental exposure, but the hammer head cannot be used without removing the cover, increasing the risk of unintentional injury

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety of sharp edge protectionVSAvoidease of hammer head usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The blade cover is divided into two separate functional parts: a first portion that covers the sharp edge and a second portion that covers the hammer head. These portions can be independently positioned and secured, allowing the sharp edge to remain protected while the hammer head can be accessed and used without removing the entire cover assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blade cover incorporates a locking mechanism with a switch that can be rotated between positions. This dynamic element allows the cover to transition between locked and unlocked states, enabling safe operation of the hammer head when needed while maintaining automatic protection of the sharp edge during normal use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the blade cover is made removable for hammer head access, then the hammer head can be used, but the sharp edge becomes exposed creating a significant risk of cutting or injury

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to hammer headVSAvoidrisk of accidental cutting
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The blade cover is divided into two separate functional parts: a first portion that covers the sharp edge and a second portion that covers the hammer head. These portions can be independently positioned and secured, allowing the sharp edge to remain protected while the hammer head can be accessed and used without removing the entire cover assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism acts as an intermediary between the blade cover and the axe handle. It provides a controlled interface that allows the cover to be securely attached and detached only when necessary, preventing accidental exposure of the sharp edge while enabling intentional access to the hammer head.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a locking mechanism is added to the blade cover, then the cover remains secure during hammer head use, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity of blade cover attachmentVSAvoidcomplexity of locking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is designed to be activated by the user's own action of attaching or removing the blade cover. The switch and locking elements automatically engage or disengage based on the position of the cover portions, eliminating the need for separate locking operations or complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism is concentrated in a specific localized area of the blade cover assembly rather than being distributed throughout the entire structure. This localized approach maintains security where needed while minimizing overall device complexity and avoiding unnecessary components in other areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4177021B1Blade cover and axe assembly
Publication Date: 2024.05.22 FISKARS FINLAND OY AB
  • EP4177021B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4177021B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

A blade cover (2) for an axe, comprising a protective portion (5) arranged to cover a sharp edge of a tool head. The blade cover (2) further comprises a locking mechanism (6) releasably attachable to the tool head, the locking mechanism (6) comprising a rotatable switch (3) and a receiver (4), the rotatable switch (3) is rotatable between two positions, wherein in a first position the blade cover (2) is fixedly securable to the tool head, and in a second position the blade cover (2) is releasably attachable to the tool head. An axe assembly, comprising an axe (1) having a tool head (11) and a handle (10), wherein the tool head (11) comprises a through hole (12), and the blade cover (2).