United States Patent Taylor, Jr. (4) POCKET KNIFE WITH LOCK D SIGN (75) Inventor: William Joseph Taylor, Je, Marita, GAS) (73) Assignoe: Proceeding Corp., Tuipsi (TW) (4). Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 USCC. 1544b) by 0 days Appl. No. 10/627,696 Filed: Jul, 28, 2008 B26B 1/04 ‘30/161; 30/160 30/161, 160, 331, 30/133, 155, 159, 158, M0; 7/18, 119, 120 66) References Cited US. PATENT DOCUMENTS 4274200 A + 6/1981 Coder set S5m3K A + 21086 Konneker inter SSUL3IO A * 4/1906 Sesions eta seh 579446 A * 8/1908 Seber cal satel Skavqo A * 101998 Hull sel US00683443281 0) Patent No: US 6,834,432 BL 5) Date of Patent Dec. 28, 2004 6308420 BL + 102001. Moser soot asa M2 + "x2004 Kaine oreo aooainoioa AL + R202 Mattoe ane 2Ma0istsh AL = 7208 Cheng amis Zinainanss AL 22004 aoe Znanassos AL + 42004 Ch not FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS wo wo2msnssi6s 42004 * cited by examiner Primary Esaminer—Alln N. Shoop “Assistant Exaniner—Ghassem Alie (74) Auorney, Agent, or Firm—Rosenberg, Klein & Lee on ABSTRACT A pocket knife with lock design is disclosed. This foldable Knife has & pivot joint, a blade contolled by the pivot joint, safety lock corresponding to the side wall ofthe blade, and 4 resilient pin, wherein the back end of the blade has @ shoulder and 2 pin catch. The safety lock has a spring tab With a raised head that is moved to touch the back of the blade after the blade is pulled out from the handle by a predetermined angle. The resilient pin placed ins chamber ‘within ioner space of the handle, where one endl pushes ‘inst the shoulder of the blade for supplementing the ‘riving force to pull out the blade to an open position, va 1s 9 Drawing SheetsU.S. Patent Dee. 28, 2004 Sheet 1 of 9 US 6,834,432 BLU.S. Patent Dee. 28, 2004 Sheet 2 of 9 US 6,834,432 BLU.S. Patent Dee. 28, 2004 Sheet 3 of 9 US 6,834,432 BLU.S. Patent Dee. 28, 2004 Sheet 4 of 9 US 6,834,432 BLU.S. Patent Dee. 28, 2004 Sheet 5 of 9 US 6,834,432 BL FIG.6 FIG.5U.S. Patent Dec. 28, 2004 Sheet 6 of 9 US 6,834,432 B1 FIG.7US 6,834,432 BL Sheet 7 of 9 Dec. 28, 2004 U.S. PatentU.S. Patent Dee. 28, 2004 Sheet 8 of 9 US 6,834,432 BLU.S. Patent Dee. 28, 2004 Sheet 9 of 9 US 6,834,432 BL FIG.10US 6,834,432 BL 1 POCKET KNIFE WITH LOCK DESIGN BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention “The present invention relates to a pocket knife with a lock ‘design, in particular o a foldable knife that provides supple= ‘mental driving force to exten the blade of the knife from the handle to an open position by a semi-automatic operation, 2, Deseription of Related Arts ‘The current designs of pocket knives can be categorized as the fick knife and the foldable knife. The flick knife utilizes the pressing force on the lock release mechanism of the handle to unlock te spring, and then the ecoiing force ‘of the spring causes the blade 6 sboot out from the foot end of the bandle- According to the designs of flick knives, the blade moved by the recoiling force of the spring ean also ‘cause bodily harm tothe user ifthe lick knife is not properly handled. Ifthe flick knife is dropped accidentally when being carried or operated improperly, the razor-sharp blade may be ejected automatically when the Knife falls to the ground and receives ajo However, by the design of the foldable knife, the move- ‘ment ofthe blade is controlled by a pivot joint, and the blade has tobe opened out and returned manually, and is eevived Jn the inner space of the handle. Unlike the flick kaif, the foldable knife does not use any spring mechanism wo exiend the blade from the handle. This design makes it safer to ‘operate but, atthe same time, suriices some operability Since the design of conventional foldable knife cannot provide automatic opening ofthe knife and operation safety Atthe sime time, a modified foldable knife has been pro- posed by the appicant, in which the sinicture of the moi fied foklable knife has incorporated a supplemental driving |. onmed by a holding block,» guide roller and resilient pin installed inside the bundle, such that shen the user pulls ‘out the blade from the handle of the knife ala predetermined angle, then a supplemental driving fore willbe produced by the action of the resilient pin to assist the extension of the blade to the open position, thus enhancing the operability by means of 2 scmi-sulomatic operation, ‘Although the modified foldable knife design is able to meet the users’ expectation for automatic operation, the ‘mechanical driving aid of the foldable knife requires the addition of guide roller in the bandle corresponding to the side wall of the blade that takes the pressure from by the resilient pin. therefore, the thickness ofthe handle as tobe increased 0 meet the above requirement. However, the ‘enlarged size ofthe foldable knife will affect the ponailty * ‘of the knife, and also the guide roller and the resilient pin as Part of the mechanical driving aid to supplement the exten- ‘ion ofthe blade do aot work in perfect unison at allies. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Tae main object of the prescat invention isto provide a pocket Knife witha lock design incorporating a supplemen- {al mechanical driving aid to solve the proe at problem of thickness ofthe foldable knife and to improve the supple- mental driving force when extending the blade from the handle. ‘To this end, the present invention uses a pivot jot at the frontend of handle to contro the movement ofthe blade, @ safety lock placed inside handle corresponding to the side ‘wall of blade in the clesed position, and a resilient pin installed in the bande corresponding tothe back end of the s 2 blade, wherein the back end of the blade has a shoulder for ‘engaging the resilient pin and a pin catch. The safety lock boas a spring tab with 4 raised head, which is used to press agtinst the back end of the blade when the blade is being extended from the handle, and the eslient pi is installed inside the chamber ofthe handle, where one end is fixed, and the other end is pushed against the shoulder of the blade, for supplemental driving force blade when the blade is being exttacted from the handle The present invention provides a pocket knife with a {ildable design that allows the blade to be received within the inner space of the handle ‘he present invention also provides a supplemental driv ing aid that can force the blade of poke! knife to extend by means of a semi-automatic operation. ‘he present invention also provides a simplified seuetural design Tor a pocket knife by providing a suitable thickness fof the handle to moet the portability and storage require: seals ‘The present invention is also characterized in that a resilient pin is used inthe design to drive the blade diretly ‘whe the blade i being pulled out from the handle to the ‘pen position The features and structure of the present invention will be more clealy understood when taken in coajunetion wit the accompanying drawings. [BRIEP DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. Lis un exploded diagram ofthe pocket knife with « lock desiga in accordance with the presen invention; FIG. 2 isa partial assembly ofthe pocket knife previously shown in HG. I; FIGS, 3 and 4 are dllerent designs ofthe bolding blocks ‘o hold the resilient pin inside the handles FIGS. $-7 are different designs used to fx the resilient pin inside the handle; FIG. 8is a plan view of the pocket knife previously showa in FIG. 1 currently having the blade in the closed position. FIG. 9 isa plan view of the pocket knife previous shown in FIG. 1 currenly having the blade pulled out ata prede- termined angle; FIG. 10 is a plan view of the pocket knife previously shown in FIG. 1 currently having the blade fully extended. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT ‘The present invention is illustrated in conjunction with 3 first preferred emliment as shown in FIG. 1. This foable Knife has a handle (10) including s pivot joint (18), a blade 20) controled by the pivot joint (18) a safety lock (30) contesponding (0 the side wall of tbe blade (20), and a resilient pin 40), The bundle (10) is formed by a fst ball (1D and a second half (12), and has an opening at te front ‘The first and second halves (II, 12) are joined together in & conventional manner such as by using screw rivets and so fon. A chamber (13) is defined by the sie walls ofthe handle (10) for holding the resitient pin (40). The pivot joint (15) is ormed a he font end of handle (10) fr receiving the blade (20) into the handle (10), ‘A holding block (14) is installed on a side wall of the chamiber (13) opposite tothe pivot joint (18) for holding one end of the resilient pin (40) firmly in position. ‘The blade (20) has an axis, a cutting side (21), a blunt side, a pointed end and a pivot end. The pivot end defines aUS 6,834,432 BL 7 pivot hole (22) extending trough the blade (20). A shoulder {23) formed on the pivot end of the blade (20) has a bevel shaped guiding edge (24 close tothe cutting edge (20) and ‘driving edge (25) on the far end of culling edge (21) Perpendicular tothe axis of blade (20). pin catch (26) is ormed between the cutting edge (21) and guiding edge 24) The safety lock (30) is secured in the chamber (13) inside the handle (10) by the clamping foree of the rst and second halves (11, 12). fn the peeereed embodiment, the safety’ Tock (30) i disposed etween the blade (20) and first half (11) snd has 4 push plate (31) adjaoent wo a side opening of the handle (10), where the fee end ofthe push plate 31) forms ‘raised head for pushing against the pivot end of the blade (20) to move the blade (20) into an open positon Te resilient pin (40) is installed in the chamber (13) of the handle (10), wherein one end is held by the bolding block (4) in the handle (10), and the cher end touches the shoulder (23) of the blade (20) for supplementing. the ‘extension of the blade (20) to the open position The holding blocks (14) installed inthe chamber (13) of the handle (10), 2s shown ia FIGS. 2 ad 3, ae placed side by side atthe back end or the middle section of the second half (12), forming channel (16) for keeping the resilient pin (40) in postion. Akernatvely, the holding block (14) ean be formed by muhiple blocks inside the chamber (13) of the >. handle (10), as shows in FIG. 4, and arranged in two rows in alternate positions or in a one-on-one arrangement. These two rows of holding blocks (14) form a channel (161) for keeping the hase ofthe resilient pin (40) firmly in place. Lo 8 Turther embodiment, th holding block (14) canbe a single block inside the chamber (13) of the handle (10) (n01 shown in the diagrams), where the inward facing ead forms a ‘channel (161) having an inward facing opening, as opposed to the closed other end, used for keeping the base of the resilient pin (40) firmly in place. "The resilient pin (40) is fixed on the hase of the handle (10) to form a gap (41), and the handle (10) has through holes (I11, 121) corresponding to the position of the gap (41) for installing a stopper rod (17), a8 shown in FIG. 8, 0¢ rivels (171), as shown in FIG. 6, or any other equivalent ‘means for fixing the base of the resilient pin (40) inside the hhandle (10). Alternatively, the fist half (11) and second half (2) of the handle (10) are installed with through holes of ‘screw holes (not shown inthe diagram) corresponding to the ap (41) for receiving serews to fix the base of the resilient pin (40) inside the handle (10) “The inner walls of the resilient pin (40) and the bandle (10) are designed to interlock against each other (aot shown, Jn diagram) for fixing the base ofthe esilent pin (40) inside the handle (10). The resilient pin (40) is fixed on one side of| the base ofthe handle (10) ‘As shown in FIG. 7, the resilient pin (40) is fixed atthe base of the handle (10) having a large diameter, and ihe pivot ‘end of the handle (10) has s supporting pipe (19) corre ‘sponding to a back section of the channel (16), having a ‘small diameter inner section (191) on one end and larger «diameter outer section (192) on the other end. The outer section (192) ofthe supporting pipe (19) corresponds with the lage diameter base ofthe resilient pin (40) having srew threads formed on the inner wall. The inner section (191) ‘conesponds with the outside diameter of the resilient pin (40), The resilient pin (40) is slid into the channel (16) ofthe handle (10) through te inner section (191) ofthe supporting Pipe (19), and then the base (42) of the resilient pin (40) is then fixed ooto the outer section (192) ofthe supporting pipe (09) using screws (48) for fixing the eslient pin (40) inthe handle 10) % Io actual opeato in FIG, 8, whoa folding back the knife w a closed position, the blide (20) ofthe povket Knife i eceived by the handle (10). The lade 20) kr pivotally moved back into the closed postion in the ade (10), ad the push plate 31) ofthe sty Tock 30) fs place again! the side ofthe blade (20). The resilient pia (4b) isstighty beat nd ged on one side af he ade (20), Si the fee cod ofthe saety lock (30) extend oward the auiding edge (24) of the blade shoulder 23). tthe same {ime, te pas plate (31) of the safety lak (30) is pushed gaint te blade (20) offset te force ofthe estat pin (40) applied on the Dade 2. ‘Wien pulling out the Blade 20) fom the handle (10, a showa in FIGS. 9 ad 10, the blade 20) is fest pulled out ‘manly to predetermined angle, and the protring point {2ryberweea the guiding edge (23) and the deving edge 28) moved tthe side ofthe fre end a the resilient pin (40), Such tat the force of posh plate (31) ofthe safey Tock 30) Pushing agains the blade 20) is lessened, and therefore the recoiling force of he resilient pin (40) acts sa supplemental diving fore w extend the blade 20) from the handle 10) ‘When the blade 20) is pivoted to the frat of the bane (U0), the pash plate 31) ofthe safety lock (30) engages the Akiving edge 25) ofthe shouldee 23) onthe blade 20), ad te free end ofthe resilient pin (0) extras to the pin catch (26) ofthe blade G20) foe moving the blade 20) into open Postion, sich thatthe user can bold onto the Beale (10) ge 21) of the blade (20). When closing the kaie the user only hast press down ibe push plate 34) of safety lock (30) to cause the blade (20) tobe eeleased fom the shoulder 23), such tbat the blade 20) ean then be put back pivotally into the aodle 10). To summary, he prescat inveation provides a pocket knife with fock design having a mechaaicl driving aid for asst ing the extension of the blade (20) into the open position semi-automatially, and foldable design by means of = vot join. Furthermore, the present invention also provides 4 simplified Knife structure that helps peovide » minimum thickness of halle suiable for portability and storaue “The foregoing description ofthe preferred embodiments of the present invention is intended to he ilistative only fa, under no cicamstaces shouldbe scope of he present ination be so resected. ‘What is claimed ix 1A pocket knife wit lock design, comprising s handle (40), a chamber (13, a blade 20), a sitety Lock (30), and a reset pia 40); wherein the bundle (10) i composed of a Set half (11) and a second hall (2); ‘he chamber (13) defined by the space between the fist ball (UD aad the second balf (2), ‘he blade 20) i pivotally coupled to the handle (10) by 2 pivot jot (8), and bas a cutting edge (2), & shoulder (23) atthe end of the cutting ede 21), ‘uiding edge 24) on the lateral side of the shoulder {@3) agjacent to the eating edge 21, driving edge {@5) cn the other sie fe away fom cuting edge (21) and perpendicular to an axis ofthe blade (2), and pin catch 26) on the sie wall of diving edge (25); te safety lock (30) is secured inside the chamber (13) ‘with one end fixed inside the handle (10), aad bas & ps plate (31) with a raised head for engaging the shoulder 23) a he cod of the blade (20) to moe the blade 20) into an open postion; and the resilient pin (40) x secured in the chamber (13) ofthe tandle (10), with doe end having @ gap (41) formedUS 6,834,432 BL 5 ‘therein and being fixed om the handle (10) andthe otber ced being pressed against the shoulder (23) ofthe blade (20), the handle (10) having « holding bloek (14) inthe chamber (13) displaced fram the pivot joint (18) for holding the resilient pin (40) firmly in place, the s resilient pin (40) being placed at a base of the handle (10), and the handle (10) having a though hole formed therein fr holding a stopper sod (17) fix a base of the resilient pin (40) inside the handle (10). 2. "The pocket knife as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holding block (14) inthe chamber (13) of the hanale (10) is formed by 1W0 long blocks juxtaposedly disposed in the handle (10), and a space defined between the Tong blocks forms a channel (16) for keeping the resilient pin (40) in position. 3. The pocket knife as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holding block (14) inthe chamber (13) of the handle (10) is formed by multiple blocks in two rows, alternately positioned, and a space defined between the Jong. blocks forms a channel (16) for keeping the resilient pin (40) in position. 4 The pocket knife as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first half (11) and second half (12) respectively have through holes (IIL, 112) and sew holes fr receiving screws to ix the base ofthe resilient pin (40) inske the handle (10) ‘The pocket knife as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fst half (L1) snd second hal (12) respectively have through holes (IL, 112) and sevew holes for receiving screws to fix the base ofthe resilient pin (40) inside the handle (10). 6. The pocket knife as claimed in claim 3, whore the firs 30 half (11) 7. The pocket knife as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bse ofthe resilient pin (40) has a large diameter portion at ‘one end of the resilient pi, and a back end ofthe handle (10) has a supporting pipe (19) having a smaller diameter innee section (191) and a larger diameter outer section (192), ‘where the outer section (192) of the supporting pipe (19) has serew threads on the inner edge matching the outer edge of +0 the resilient pin (40) having a large diameter base, and the nner section (191) of the supporting pipe (19) cortesponds 6 With the outer diameter ofthe eesiient pia (40), such that reset pin 40) eanbe inserted into the handle (10) trough the ier section (191) of the supporting pipe (19), and the base ofthe resent in (40) in premsed aginst the supporting pipe (9), sd a sere is inserted into the outer section (192) bf the supporting pipe (19) for fixing he base ofthe reiiot Pin (40) inside the handle (1). 8. The pocket knife a claimed in claim 2, wherein the base ofthe resin pin 40) has large diameter portion st cone end ofthe resent pi, and a back end af the bane (10) las a supporting pipe (19) baving a smaller diameter ianer section (191) and 2 lager diameter outer section (192), ‘where the outer section (192 ofthe supporting pipe 19) has screw threads on he inner edge matching the outer edge of the resilient pin (40) having s large diameter bas, a the inner scton (191) of the suppocing pipe (19) comtesponds with the outer diameter ofthe eesiient pin (40), such that relent pin 40) eanbe inserted into te handle (10) trough the inner section (191) of the supporting pipe (19), and the base ofthe resilient pin 40) is presed agains the sopponiog Pipe (19), snd a see is inserted into the cuter section (192) bf tbe supporting pipe (19) fr fixing the base ofthe eit pi (40) inside the bande (10. 9. The pocket knife chimed in claim 3, wherein the base ofthe resilient pia (40) has a lange diameter portion at cone end anda ack end of he andl (10) has & supporting pipe (19) having smaller diameter inner section (191) aad larger diameter outer section (192), where the oster section (192) ofthe supporting pipe (19) has stew threads on the liner edge matehing the oer eige of the resilient pin (40) having a larg diameter hase, and te nner section (191) of ‘he supporting pipe (19) corresponds wilh the outer diameter ofthe reset pin (40), such hat resiient pia (40) ean be Snsered into the bance (10) though the ince section (191) ofthe supporting pipe 9), and te base of the resilient pin (Go) is pressed agains the supporing pipe (19), anda screw Jsinsertd into the outer section (192) ofthe supporting pipe (19) for fixing the base ofthe resilient pin (40) isi the ana (10).