Folding tool with a lock and automatic opener

[0002] Continuation in part of PCT/US98/07509, filed Apr. 14, 1998, which is a continuation in part of Ser. No. 08/679,122, filed Jul. 12, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,737,841.

[0003] This invention relates generally to folding tools, and more particularly to a folding tool that includes an automatic opener mechanism and including blades or tools capable of being locked in an open position.

[0004] Folding knives and tools suitable for many purposes are well known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,030,058 to Doles, U.S. Pat. No. 1,189,005 to Seely, U.S. Pat. No. 2,188,762 to Schrade, U.S. Pat. No. 3,868,774 to Miori, U.S. Pat. No. 4,233,737 to Peohlmann, U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,201 to Sawby et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,274,200 to Coder, U.S. Pat. No. 4,451,982 to Collins, U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,221 to Pittman, U.S. Pat. No. 4,670,984 to Rickard, U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,932 to Elsener, U.S. Pat. No. 4,896,424 to Walker, U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,379 to Neely, U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,175 to Rogers, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,786 to Miller are representative of the available prior art.

[0005] As disclosed in several of the aforementioned patents, there are many different mechanisms for locking tool blades in an open position. For example, the patents to Sawby et al., Miller and Seely each disclose a variation of a “lock back” mechanism. This construction entails forming a notch on a tang of the blade which is engaged by a lug located on the spine of the knife to lock the blade in an open position. A shortcoming of this type of mechanism is that excessive wear can cause the locking mechanism to fail, thereby rendering the knife unsafe for use.

[0006] The patents to Neely and Collins each disclose another type of locking mechanism. As disclosed in these patents, a blade has a tang that is engaged by a member to prevent the blade from rotating from its open position. For example, in Collins, a slidable bolt is biased towards the tang to lock the blade in its open position. A shortcoming with Collins's knife construction is that the bolt is generally parallel with the blade, and the mechanism depends on the spine of the handle for strength. Neely's knife suffers from the same disadvantage as Collins's, and from the fact that the blade may be unlocked inadvertently by pulling the blade axially away from the handle during a normal cutting motion of the knife.

[0007] What is needed, then, is a stronger lock mechanism than has previously been available for holding a blade of a folding tool in an open, or extended, position, yet which is capable of being manufactured at a reasonable cost.

[0008] Such a locking mechanism may beneficially be used in a variety of tools, including tools such as knives and the like that utilize automatic opening mechanisms. When used on a knife, an automatic blade opening mechanism is often generically referred to as a “switchblade.” There are numerous designs for automatic blade opening mechanisms. These include so-called “fly lock” devices in which the same mechanism that releases the blade also locks the blade in the open position, and mechanisms that rely upon separate structures to accomplish these functions.

[0009] All automatic opening tools include some kind of a spring-like or spring-driven mechanism that urges a blade from the closed position to the open position. In the closed position the blade must be locked against the constant opening force of the spring applied to the blade. Typical springs include spirally wound torsion springs that are wrapped around the pivot axis of the blade and which on one end engage the pivot pin, and on the other engage the blade. Other designs use compression springs and still others use extension springs and spiral wound flat springs and leaf spings. Many automatic opening mechanisms utilize or adapt the well-known sear type of design. Regardless of the particular mechanism used, when the locking mechanism is released, the spring forces the blade into the open position where it may or may not be locked, depending upon the specific design.

[0010] The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art by providing a folding tool comprising an elongate handle defining an elongate groove therein and at least one knife or other tool blade or other tool element pivotally attached to the handle at one end. Each tool blade or element is movable, between a closed position in which it is received within the groove of the handle and an open position in which the blade or tool element is extended away from the handle and exposed. Each tool blade has a working portion that extends away from the handle when in its open position and a tang portion including a locking surface which is located within the groove of the handle when the blade is in its open position. A blade locking pin extends in a direction generally transverse to the length of the handle and blade and has its opposite ends disposed in elongate openings defined in opposite sides of the handle and aligned opposite each other. The blade locking pin is movable with respect to the handle along the elongate openings, between a first position, in which the locking pin engages a locking surface of the tang portion of blade as well as interior surfaces of the elongate openings, to lock the blade in its open position, and a second position in which the pin is spaced away from the locking surface portion of the tang to allow the blade to move from its open position. The blade locking pin is biased toward its first position, but is movable manually to its second position from its first position.

[0011] In one embodiment of the invention a locking assembly body is provided to move the locking pin manually from its first position to its second position.

[0012] In one embodiment of the invention the blade locking pin is biased toward its first position by a spring housed in a cavity defined within a side wall of the handle.

[0013] In one embodiment of the invention a spine portion of the handle is located adjacent the elongate openings in which the ends of the blade locking pin are located, and respective parts of an outer surface of the blade locking pin rest against the locking surface on the tang of the tool blade and a surface of the spine.

[0014] In one embodiment the invention provides for such locking of selected one of a plurality of tool blades or elements carried at one end of a handle.

[0015] In yet another embodiment the invention provides for an automatic opening mechanism that may be used either with the locking mechanisms described herein or with other locking mechanisms.

[0016] The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a folding or pocket knife embodying the present invention, a blade of the knife being shown in a closed position in which it is received within a handle of the knife.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the knife shown in FIG. 1, with the blade of the knife shown in an open, operating position.

[0019] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the knife shown in FIG. 2.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway elevational view from one side of the knife shown in FIGS. 1-3.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway elevational view from the other side of the knife shown in FIGS. 1-4.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway elevational view of the knife from the same side as in FIG. 4, the blade being illustrated in its open position.

[0023] FIG. 6ais a detail view of the locking mechanism of the knife as shown in FIG. 6, at an enlarged scale.

[0024] FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway elevational view of the knife, similar to FIG. 6, but with the blade of the knife moved toward its closed position.

[0025] FIG. 7ais a detail view of the locking mechanism of the knife as shown in FIG. 7, at an enlarged scale.

[0026] FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a blade for incorporation in a knife that is another preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0027] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a tool handle, pliers jaws, and one tool blade of a multi-purpose tool incorporating a blade lock embodying the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a blade pivot shaft and a portion of the locking mechanism of the tool shown in FIG. 9, at an enlarged scale.

[0029] FIG. 11 is a partially cutaway elevational view of a portion of the handle and the blade and locking mechanism shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0030] FIG. 12 is a partially cutaway elevational view of a portion of the handle and the blade and locking mechanism shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, with the blade in its closed position.

[0031] FIG. 13 is a plan view taken from the open or front, side of the tool handle shown in FIG. 9, together with several tool blades and the blade locking mechanism shown in FIGS. 9, 10, 11 and 12.

[0032] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a folding knife which is another embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 15 is a partially cutaway side elevational view of the knife shown in FIG. 14, with its blade locked in an open position.

[0034] FIG. 16 is a partially cutaway side elevational view of the folding knife of FIG. 14, with its blade locked in its open position, at an enlarged scale.

[0035] FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16 with the blade of the knife located only slightly outward from its closed position.

[0036] FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a folding knife which is another embodiment of the present invention and which includes an automatic opener.

[0037] FIG. 19 a side elevational view of a blade for incorporation in a knife that includes the automatic opener of FIG. 18.

[0038] FIG. 20 is a partially cutaway side elevational view of the folding knife of FIG. 18 with its blade locked in its open position, at an enlarged scale.

[0039] FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 20 with the blade of the knife locked in its closed position.

[0040] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a folding pocket knife 10 includes a blade locking mechanism that embodies the present invention. The pocket knife 10 includes an elongate handle 12, and a blade 14 that is pivotally attached to the handle at one of its opposite ends. FIG. 1 shows the pocket knife 10 with the blade 14 in a closed position in which the blade is received within the handle 12. FIG. 2 illustrates the pocket knife 10 with the blade 14 in an open or use position. The blade 14 of the pocket knife 10 of the present invention is capable of being locked securely in that open position to prevent the inadvertent movement of the blade to its closed position, and this ability makes the knife safer to use.

[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the handle 12 of the pocket knife 10 comprises several components, including a pair of oppositely located side wall sections, generally indicated at 16, 18, that are parallel with each other, and a spine section 20 which is located between the side wall sections along their upper long edges. As shown in FIG. 3, the side wall section 16 has an outer plate 22 and an inner liner 24, disposed inwardly alongside the outer plate 22. Similarly, the other side wall section 18 has an outer plate 26 and an inner liner 28 also disposed inwardly alongside its outer plate 26.

[0042] When the handle 12 is assembled, the spine section 20 is disposed between the liners 24, 28 of the side wall sections 16, 18, respectively, and extends along the upper edge margins of the side wall sections. Outwardly projecting detents 30 provided on the spine section are received in corresponding bores 32 formed in the liners, to align the side wall sections with each other and the spine section. Suitable fasteners such as screws 34 and 35 are used to hold together the side wall sections 16, 18 and the spine section 20. Preferably, the outer plates 22, 26 of the side wall sections 16, 18, respectively, are fabricated from a reinforced hard synthetic plastics material such as Micarta® (by Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company), although other suitable materials such as metal, other plastics, wood, etc. can also be used. The liners 24, 28 of the side wall sections 16, 18, and the spine section 20, are preferably fabricated from steel or titanium since these components of the handle must be strong enough to bear the forces that might be exerted thereon when locking the blade in its open position.

[0043] The side wall sections 16, 18 and the spine section 20 define a blade receiving groove 36 (see FIG. 4) for receiving the blade 14 when it is moved to its closed position. Still referring to FIGS. 1-3, the blade 14 comprises an elongate working portion 38 having an upper blunt edge or back 40, a lower sharp edge 42, and a tang portion 44 which pivotally attaches the blade to the handle 12. The arrangement is such that the blade's working portion 38 extends away from the handle 12 when the blade 14 is in its open position, and the tang portion 44 is located within the groove 36 when the blade is in either the open or the closed position. That is, the tang portion 44 is always located between the liners 24 and 28 of the handle 12.

[0044] More specifically, the working portion 38 is constructed in a well-known manner and is pivotally attached to the handle by the tang portion 44 so that the lower sharp edge 42 is received within the handle 12. The tang portion 44 is formed integrally with the blade portion 38 and has a semi-circularly-shaped peripheral edge 46, and a circular opening 48 is formed in the tang for attaching the blade 14 to the handle 12. One of the ends of the peripheral edge 46 of the tang portion 44 merges into an outwardly extending first shoulder 50. The other end of the peripheral edge 46 merges into an inwardly extending second shoulder 52. The first and second shoulders 50, 52 are generally perpendicular with the direction of the peripheral edge 46 at their respective junctions; however, it should be observed as in FIG. 4 that the second shoulder 52 merges into the peripheral edge 46 with a greater radius of curvature than does the first shoulder 50.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, an annular shaft 54 fabricated from hard steel attaches the blade 14 to the handle 12 with one of a pair of annular shims 56 on each side, between the liners 22 and 28. The shaft 54 is press-fitted into the opening 48 formed in the tang portion 44 of the blade 14 and fits rotatably but snugly through circular openings 57 defined in the liners 22 and 28 so that the shaft defines a pivot axis for the blade extending transversely with respect to the side walls 16 and 18. The annular shims 56 are received over respective ends of the shaft 54 as indicated in FIG. 3. The shaft 54 has a threaded axial bore 58 machined therethrough for matingly receiving the screw fasteners 34 which retain the outer plates 22 and 26 and keep the pocket knife 10 assembled.

[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, there is generally indicated at 60 a sliding lock assembly for locking the blade 14 in its open position. The sliding lock assembly 60 includes a planar sliding body member 62 which extends along a plane generally parallel with the plane of the side wall sections 16, 18 of the handle 12. Mounted on the body member 62 is an outwardly projecting latch operating arm member or knob 64 useful as a handle for slidably moving the body member 62 along an axis generally parallel with the length of the handle 12 as indicated by the arrow 65 in FIG. 3. The body member 62 is disposed between the outer plate 22 and liner 24 of the side wall section 16 in a cavity (not shown) formed in the inwardly-facing side of the outer plate 22. The body member 62 has a fork or slot 66 formed therein which receives a guide member 68 (e.g., a machine screw) suitably attached to the liner 24 to guide the movement of the sliding body member 62. The knob 64 extends outwardly through an elongated opening 70 formed through the plate 22 of the side wall section 16 so that it is accessible to the user of the pocket knife 10.

[0047] The sliding lock assembly 60 further includes a cylindrical blade locking pin 72 of which one end is attached (e.g., welded) to the body member 62. The pin 72 has a cylindrical outer surface 73, and a central axis that extends in a generally transverse direction with respect to the body member and handle 12. When the folding knife 10 is assembled, the pin 72 extends through aligned elongate openings 74 formed in the liners 24, 28 of the side wall sections 16, 18, respectively, and the free end of the pin 72 extends into a large cavity 76 formed in the inwardly facing surface of plate 26 of side wall member 18. An inwardly facing surface 77 of the spine 20 is preferably aligned with or nearly aligned with the elongate openings 74, as may be seen best in FIG. 7a. As shown in FIG. 4, the pin 72 of the sliding lock assembly 60 is located adjacent the tang portion 44 of the blade 14.

[0048] Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the sliding lock assembly 60 is movable in a direction parallel to the length of the handle 12, as indicated by the arrow 65, between a first position shown in FIG. 6, in which the cylindrical outer surface 73 of blade locking pin 72 of the sliding lock assembly engages the tang portion 44 of the blade 14 to lock the blade in its open position, and a second position, shown in FIG. 7, in which the pin 72 is spaced away from the tang portion 44 to allow the blade to move from its open position and toward its closed position. More specifically, when the sliding lock assembly 60 is in its first position for locking the blade 14 in its open position, the pin 72 is disposed in a recess defined by the tang portion 44, the first shoulder 50, and spine section 20. As may be seen best in FIG. 7a, a generally flat locking surface 89 is part of the peripheral edge 46 of the tang 44, intersecting and preferably faired into the semi-circular portion through the transition 88. The locking surface 89 extends inwardly along a chord of the circle defined by the semi-circular portion of the peripheral edge 46. An angle 75, shown in FIG. 6a, is defined between the locking surface 89 of the tang 44 and the upper inner surfaces defining the elongate holes 74. The angle 75 is between 7 degrees and 14 degrees and is preferably 10 degrees, and thus is small enough that the pin 72 is not urged longitudinally away from its first position by any cam action of the locking surface portion 89 of tang 44 with sufficient force to overcome the force of the spring 78. The arrangement is such that upon an attempt to move the blade 14 from its open position, the pin 72 engages the locking surface 89 portion of the peripheral edge 46 of the tang portion 44 of the blade and interferes with the pivotal movement of the tang portion, thus preventing movement of the blade 14 about the pivot axis defined by the shaft 54.

[0049] Additionally, it should be observed that the pin 72 of the sliding lock assembly 60 has a tendency of “wearing in” rather than wearing out, since the more frequently the blade 14 is moved to its open position and locked therein by the pin, the further the pin becomes wedged between the peripheral edge 46 of the tang portion 44, the surfaces defining the elongate openings 74 in the liners 22 and 28, and (depending upon alignment) the inner surface 77 of the spine 20.

[0050] A spring 78 is provided for biasing the pin 72 of the sliding lock assembly 60 to its first position. As illustrated in FIG. 5, one end 80 of the spring 78 engages a detent 82 (e.g., a machine screw) provided on the liner 28 of the side wall section 18. The other end 84 of the spring 78 engages the free end of the pin 72. More specifically, a circumferential groove 86 is formed in the pin 72 near its free end to receive the end 84 of the spring 78 therein and ensure that the spring maintains its engagement with the pin 72. Preferably, the spring 78 is fabricated from resilient material which is strong enough for biasing the sliding lock assembly 60 to its first position, but resilient enough so that when a person applies a force on the knob 64 in a direction away from the extended blade 14, the lock assembly 60 is moved readily to its second position.

[0051] It should be observed that the peripheral edge 46 of the tang portion 44 defines a cam upon which the pin 72 can ride as the blade 14 is moved between its open and closed positions. Moreover, referring briefly to FIG. 4, when the blade 14 in its closed position the pin 72 is disposed between the peripheral edge 46 of the tang portion 44 and the second shoulder 52, and upon movement of the blade 14 away from its closed position the second shoulder moves the sliding lock assembly 60, including the pin 72, to its second position, enabling the blade 14 to open. It should also be noted that the tang portion 44 of the blade 14 can be configured so that the blade is locked in its closed position and capable of being moved only upon moving the sliding lock assembly 60 manually to its second position.

[0052] Another important feature of the tang portion of the blade 14 is that the shape of the peripheral edge 46 which defines the cam upon which the pin 72 rides can provide an “assist” when opening or closing the blade 14 of the knife 10. More specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the arrangement is such that during closing of the blade 14 of the knife 10 the pin 72 rides along the peripheral edge 46 until it rounds over the corner at the junction of the peripheral edge and the second shoulder 52. After rounding over the junction with the second shoulder the pin 72 actually assists in closing the blade 14, since the spring 78 biases the pin 72 toward the shoulder 52 and thus urges the blade 14 toward its closed position.

[0053] Turning now to FIGS. 6, 6a, 7 and 7a, when opening the blade 14, a transition at 88 in the curvature of the peripheral edge 46 also makes it possible to take advantage of the spring biased pin 72 acting on the tang portion 44 to assist in opening the blade, since the blade locking surface portion 89 of the peripheral edge 46 of the tang 44 extends at an angle inward from the arcuate portion of the peripheral edge.

[0054] FIG. 8 illustrates a blade 90 of another embodiment of the invention. The blade 90 is similar to the blade 14 in that it includes a blade portion 92 having an upper edge 94, a lower edge 96, and a tang 98 generally similar to the tang 44. However, the tang 98 also includes a ramp 100. The purpose of ramp 100 is to allow the locking assembly 60 to assist in opening of the blade 90 from its closed position. Referring briefly to FIG. 4, when the knob 64 is moved toward the second position of the lock assembly 60 (in the direction of arrow 65) the pin 72 pushes against ramp 100, causing partial opening of the knife by cam action. This is desirable so that the knife can be opened with one hand.

[0055] Referring now to FIGS. 9-13, a multi-bladed tool 110 which is an alternative embodiment of the present invention includes a handle 112 in the form of a generally U-shaped channel, preferably of bent sheet steel, with a plurality of tool blades 114, 116 and 118 mounted side-by-side on a blade pivot shaft 122 at one end 124 of the handle 112. Each of the blades 114, 116 and 118 may be selected individually to be moved between an extended open position such as that of the screwdriver blade 114 shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, and a closed position as that of the screwdriver blade 114 as shown in FIG. 12.

[0056] The handle 112 includes a transversely extending back portion 126 having an outer margin 144, and a pair of parallel side wall portions 128 and 130 which extend parallel with each other and perpendicular to the back portion 126, thus defining a wide groove 132. The blade pivot shaft 122 is mounted securely and immovably with respect to the side walls 128 and 130, as by having each of its opposite ends 134 riveted or welded into place in a hole 136 defined in a respective one of the side walls. Each of the blades 114, 116 and 118 includes a working portion 138 such as that portion of the screwdriver blade 114 shown in FIG. 9 extending outwardly beyond the handle 112, and a tang portion 140. The tang 140 of each of the tool blades 114, 116 and 118 includes a respective bore that fits snugly but rotatably about the blade pivot shaft 132. Each tang 140 also includes an abutment shoulder 142 that rests against and is supported by the outer margin 144 of the back portion of the end 124 of the handle 112 when the respective tool blade is in the open position to establish the proper location of the blade for use.

[0057] As with the previously-described knife 10, a pair of similar elongate openings 150 are aligned with each other and extend through the side walls 128 and 130 of the handle 112. The elongate openings 150 are defined in part by flat surfaces 151 located near the back 126 of the handle 112. A blade locking pin 152, having a longitudinal axis 153, extends transversely of the handle 112 through both of the elongate openings 150, with its opposite ends located adjacent the outer sides of the two side walls 128 and 130. A respective retainer 154, 156 such as a rivet head or a small disc-shaped cap mated with the pin 152 by threads, is located on each end of the blade locking pin 152, and both retainers may be gripped conveniently as release buttons by a person using the tool 110, to move the blade locking pin 152 longitudinally, with respect to both the handle 112 and the elongate openings 150 through the side walls 128 and 130, as indicated by the arrow 158. The blade locking pin 152 includes an outer surface 160 parallel with its axis 153. For the sake of simplicity the central portion or body of blade locking pin 152, including the outer surface 160, is in the shape of a circular cylinder, but it will be appreciated that other shapes could also serve so long as the blade locking pin 152 fits snugly but slidably in the elongate openings 150.

[0058] The tang 140 of each tool blade 114, 116 and 118 includes a locking surface 162 oriented at a small angle 164 with respect to the interior surfaces 151 defining a part of the elongate openings 150 when the respective tool blade is in its open position. As with the locking mechanism of the folding knife 10 the angle 164 should be between 7 degrees and 14 degrees and is preferably 10 degrees. The locking surface 162 is generally flat and merges into a convex arcuate peripheral edge surface 166 acting as a cam along which the outer surface 160 of blade locking pin 152 can slide during movement of a blade such as the screwdriver 114 between its open position (FIG. 9) and its closed position (FIG. 12). The blade locking pin 152 is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 in its first position, in which its outer surface 160 engages or is very close to the locking surface 162 of the tang 140 and approaches a shoulder 168 defined on the tang 140, while the blade locking pin is supported by the interior surfaces 151 of the elongate openings 150 through the side walls 128 and 130.

[0059] On the opposite side of the tang 140 from the locking surface 162 is a closed blade retaining surface 170 which is normally engaged by the outer surface 160 of the blade locking pin 152 when the blade 114 is closed. As a matter of design choice or of production tolerances there may be a very small clearance between the outer surface 160 and the locking surface 162 or retaining surface 170 of either an open blade or a closed blade, allowing some small amount of movement. Each blade 114, 116 and 118 also includes a shoulder 171 located on the tang 140, opposite the stop 142, to rest against the inner surface of the back 126 of the handle to establish the proper closed position of the blade within the groove 132 defined between the side walls 128 and 130.

[0060] Two springs 172 are mounted, one on each side of the handle 112, to urge the blade locking pin 152 toward its first position, yet allow the blade locking pin to be retracted by the user of the tool when it is desired to move a selected one of the tool blades 114, 116 and 118 between its open and closed positions. Each spring 172 is generally oxbow-shaped with a respective loop 174 at each of its ends. Each spring 172 is attached to the respective side wall 128 or 130 of the handle by a fastener 176 such as a screw or rivet extending through the respective loop 174 into the side wall, while the loop 174 at the opposite end of each spring 172 extends around the blade locking pin 152 near the respective end thereof, between the retainer 154 or 156 and the respective side wall of the handle 112.

[0061] At the opposite end 178 of the handle 112 a tang or handle stub 180 of a pair of pliers is attached to the handle 112 in the same manner as are the blades 114, 116 and 118. The handle stub 180 has the same profile as the tang 140 and thus can similarly be locked in its extended or open position with respect to the handle 112 for use of the pliers, as shown in FIG. 9. A second handle 112 (not shown) would be similarly attached to the tang of the other pliers jaw so that the handles could be folded toward each other to enclose the pliers jaws or be extended and held in the open position of each pliers jaw by the locking mechanism, for use of the pliers.

[0062] A folding knife 182, shown in FIGS. 14-17, is a further embodiment of the present invention and includes an elongate handle 184. The handle 184 comprises a pair of liners 186, preferably of steel or titanium, which are similar to each other, each having an outer side 188. A spine 190 that may be of metal or a suitable plastic is located between the liners 186, establishing a spacing between them to define a groove 192 in which to receive a blade 194. The blade 194 is pivotally connected with one end 195 of the handle 184 by a pivot shaft 196, preferably in the form of a tubular bolt having a flat side that fits in a mating hole 197 defined in each of the liners 186 and extends rotatably through a pivot hole 199 in the blade 194. The blade 194 includes a working portion 198 having a blunt back 200 and a sharp edge 202. The blade 194 also has a tang 204 and an abutment shoulder 206 where the back 200 is interconnected with the tang 204.

[0063] A stop pin 208 extends transversely between the liners 186 and is securely interconnected with them as by fitting tightly in holes defined in the liners 186 at the same end 195 of the handle, and the abutment shoulder 206 rests snugly against the stop pin 208 when the blade 194 is in its open, extended, position for use.

[0064] The tang 204 includes a generally flat transverse locking surface 210 which is located in generally the same position as the locking surface 89 of the tang portion 44 of the knife 10 described above. The tang 204 also includes an arcuate peripheral edge 212 that can act as a cam surface as described above in connection with the tang 44, and there is a shoulder 214 adjoining and directed inwardly from the arcuate peripheral edge 212, on the side of the working portion 198 nearer the sharp edge 202.

[0065] A pair of elongate openings 216, corresponding with the elongate openings 74 of the knife 10, are defined in the liners 186 and are located opposite each other. A locking pin 218 extends through both of the elongate holes 216, thus extending transversely with respect to the elongate handle 184. The locking pin 218 has a retainer 220 at each of its ends securely fastened in place, as by being formed integrally with a generally cylindrical body portion of the locking pin 218 which has an outer surface 221, or by being mated with the body of the locking pin 218 by suitable threads or the like.

[0066] Each of the retainers 220 has a respective base surface 222 facing inwardly toward the outer side 188 of the respective one of the liners 186, with the base surfaces 222 preferably spaced within a distance of 0.003-0.008 inch from the outer sides 188. The retainers 220 extend radially outward about the body by a distance 223 of about 0.06 inch, for example, in order to keep the locking pin 218 oriented substantially perpendicular to the outer sides 188 of the liners 186. The retainers 220 preferably are shaped to include grip surfaces 224 which can easily be engaged securely by the thumb and forefinger of a person using the knife.

[0067] Each of the retainers 220 includes an annular groove 226. A pair of springs 228, 229 are mirror opposites of each other and have a generally horseshoe-like shape, each having a laterally inwardly directed end portion 230 or 231 and a small end loop portion 232. The laterally directed end portions 230, 231 each fit into a selected one of multiple spring-receiving holes 234 in a respective one of the liners 186, while the end loops 232 fit around the retainers 220 and are received in the grooves 226. When in place, the springs 228 are bent inwardly so that they urge the locking pin 218 toward the end of the handle 184 and thus toward the first, or locking, position of the locking pin 218 with respect to the locking surface 210 of the tang 204, in the same fashion in which the springs 172 urge the blade locking pin 152 toward its first, or locking, position with respect to the locking surface 166 of the tang 140 described above. The plural spring-receiving holes 234 allow for variable and adjustable tensioning in the springs 228.

[0068] A pair of outer plates 236 and 238, which may be of metal or a decorative material such as wood or plastic, are held in place closely alongside the outer sides 188 of the liners 186, by fasteners such as screws 240 and 242 at the rear end of the handle 184. The outer plates 236 and 238 include countersunk shoulders 239 that are also engaged by the heads 243 of the pivot shaft 196, which hold the outer plates 236 and 238 tightly against the liners 186 at the first end 195 of the handle and also are adjusted to provide enough tension to press the liners 186 against the lateral surfaces of the tang 204 to keep the blade 194 from being too loose in the groove 192 between the liners 186.

[0069] The outer plates 236 and 238 are mirror opposites of each other, and both define respective spring cavities 244 which are also mirror opposites of each other. The spring cavities 244 provide clearance for the springs 228 to flex and move with respect to the liners 186 as the locking pin 218 moves.

[0070] Access openings 246 are defined through each of the outer plates 236 and 238 to surround the retainers 220, which are thus countersunk within the openings 246. The access openings 246 are large enough to provide for the range of motion available for the locking pin 218 in the elongate openings 216, so that the locking pin 218 can be moved against the force of the springs 228 by engaging the grip surfaces 224 with one's thumb and forefinger, to move the locking pin 218 away from its first position and permit the blade 194 to be moved from its open position toward its closed position.

[0071] When the blade 194 is in its open position with the abutment shoulder resting against the stop pin 208 as shown in FIG. 15, there is an angle 248 of preferably about 10 degrees between the locking surface 210 and an interior surface 249 of the elongate holes 216 against which the locking pin 218 rests when the outer surface 221 of the locking pin 218 is resting on the locking surface 210. Thus the locking pin 218 is urged by the springs 228 into a narrow V-shaped space, to urge the blade 194 to rotate about the pivot shaft 196 to urge the abutment shoulder 206 snugly against the stop pin 208. The angle 248 is small enough so that pressure against the back 200 of the blade 194 in the open position cannot move the locking pin 218 out of engagement between the locking surface 210 and the interior surfaces 249 by cam action, and the locking pin 218 thus securely retains the blade 194 in the open position.

[0072] As may be seen in FIG. 17, when the blade 194 is in its closed position the springs 228 urge the locking pin 218 against the shoulder 214. As the blade 194 is moved slightly from its fully closed position, the shoulder 214 of the blade 194 presses against the outer surface 221 of the locking pin 218 and moves it away from its first position. Upon further movement of the blade 194 in the same direction, indicated by the arrow 250, the locking pin 218 is carried into contact with the arcuate peripheral edge 212 or cam surface of the tang 204, which it follows until the blade 194 approaches its fully open position, at which time the springs 228 urge the locking pin 218 onto the locking surface 210 to lock the blade 194 in its open position.

[0073] A folding knife 300 that includes an automatic opening mechanism is shown in FIGS. 18-21. It will be appreciated that except for the structures detailed hereinafter relating to the automatic opening mechanism, folding knife 300 is identical to folding knife 182 described above with reference to FIGS. 14-17. As such and except as noted, the reference numerals assigned to FIGS. 18-21 are the same as those used for FIGS. 14-17, and the above-description applies equally to the embodiment of FIGS. 18-21. It will further be appreciated that the automatic opening mechanism described herein is adaptable to be used with folding tools other than knives, including for example the tool shown in FIGS. 9-13.

[0074] The automatic opening mechanism of folding knife 300 utilizes in a preferred embodiment two coiled springs 302 that are received in cavities 304 formed in the outer plates 236 and 238. Only one of the cavities 304 is shown in FIG. 18. However, the cavities are mirror images of one another and provide clearance for both the coiled springs 302 and the springs 228, described above. Although the preferred embodiment of the automatic opening mechanism relies upon a pair of coiled springs, one spring will suffice to provide sufficient opening force. Furthermore, while a preferred embodiment of the automatic opener is disclosed, it will be appreciated that the mechanism disclosed herein for locking the blade in the open position may be used with most any automatic opening mechanism, for example, those mechanisms relying upon torsion springs and leaf springs. Other automatic opening devices may equivalently be used with the locking mechanism of the present invention.

[0075] Springs 302 are preferably made of titanium having a slightly flattened cross section. Thus, a preferred titanium material is approximately 0.010 inches thick by about 0.070 inches wide. However, the springs could be made of any suitable spring steel or wire appropriate for this application. The innermost end of the coiled spring material is bent over to define a tab 306 that projects inwardly toward the axis of the coil. When knife 300 is assembled, each tab 306 is inserted into a cooperatively formed slot 308 in pivot shaft 196. As noted above, pivot shaft 196 is preferably in the form of a tubular bolt having a flat side that fits in a mating hole 197 defined in each of the liners 186 and extends rotatably through a pivot hole 199 in the blade 194. The flat side of pivot shaft 196, coupled with the mating holes 197 that have cooperatively formed flat sides, prevent shaft 196 from rotating but allow the blade to rotate about the shaft.

[0076] The opposite ends of the coiled spring material have a small end loop portion 310. The looped end portions 310 on the respective springs 302 circle around and engage a pin 315 that is fixed in an opening 314 in blade 194. Pin 315 extends laterally outward from each side of blade 194 and extends through respective arcuate slots 312 cut into each of the liners 86. During assembly of knife 300 and prior to attaching the looped end portions 310 over pin 315, springs 302 are wound so that when they are attached to pin 315 they are under compression such that they transmit an opening force on the blade when it is in a closed position. With reference to FIG. 20 it may be seen that the axis of the coiled springs 301 is generally coaxial with the axis through pivot shaft 196.

[0077] Pin 315 is preferably circular in cross section, but may be of many other configurations. Moreover, the ends of springs 302 may be connected to the pin 315 in any appropriate manner other than the preferred method described above, including forming slots in the pin that receive tabs formed on the ends of the springs, or even spot welding where the metals used in the springs and the pin are compatible for welding.

[0078] It will be appreciated that the coil springs 302 apply a continuous opening force to blade 194 when it is in the closed position, and therefore that the knife requires a mechanism to lock the blade in the closed position. This is accomplished by modification of the blade 194 such that shoulder 316 forms a lip portion, which continues inwardly and slightly rearwardly from the arcuate peripheral edge 318 to define an arcuate notch 320. As described above, the tang 204 of blade 194 includes a generally flat transverse locking surface 210 which is located in generally the same position as the locking surface 210 described above.

[0079] With reference to FIG. 21, which shows blade 194 in the closed position, it may be seen that springs 228 urge locking pin 218 into notch 320. The radius of curvature of notch 320 is generally the same as the radius of curvature of pin 218, and the notch curves around the pin 218. Coil springs 302 apply a constant opening force on blade 194 in the direction of arrow A in FIGS. 20 and 21. In the closed position of FIG. 21, with locking pin 218 resting in notch 320 as shown and urged into this position by springs 228, the blade is locked in the closed position against the constant opening force of springs 302. Locking pin 218 thus locks blade 194 in both the closed and the open positions.

[0080] To move the blade from the closed position to the open position shown in FIG. 20, pin 218 is moved in openings 246 from its first position shown in FIG. 21 rearwardly in the direction of arrow B. As noted above, the force of springs 228 acting on pin 218 resiliently resists this movement. When pin 218 has been moved a sufficient distance in the direction of arrow B, shoulder 316 is carried over and past the locking pin in the direction of arrow A by the force applied to the blade by springs 302, acting on pin 315. Access openings 246 are sized large enough to provide for a sufficient range of motion for the locking pin to move against the force of the springs 228 such that the shoulder 316 can move past the locking pin 218. Once shoulder 316 is clear of locking pin 218 the blade rotates quickly about pivot shaft 196 into the open position under the force of the coil springs 302, with pin 218 riding along the arcuate peripheral edge 318. It will be appreciated that during this motion the tabs 306 remain fixed in slots 308 in pivot shaft 196 and that coil springs 302 uncoil slightly to supply the opening force that moves the blade. In most situations the blade moves through an arc of rotation of between about 160° to 180°. However, this range of motion is variable depending upon the particular blade.

[0081] When the blade 194 is in the fully open position shown in FIG. 20 with the abutment shoulder resting against the stop pin 208, the blade is locked in the open position as described above. And in this position, again as described earlier, the angle between the locking surface 210 and the locking pin is small enough that closing pressure applied against the blade in the open position cannot move the locking pin 218 out of engagement between the locking position, and the locking pin 218 thus securely retains the blade 194 in the open position.

[0082] Alternately, pin 315 can be used as a replacement for stop pin 208. Thus, when blade 194 is in the open position shown in FIG. 20, pin 315 bears against the ends of each arcuate slot 312 in each liner 186. Pin 315 thus acts as a stop pin that stops travel of blade 194 when the pin contacts the ends of the arcuate slots.

[0083] Blade 194 is moved from the open position of FIG. 20 to the closed position of FIG. 21 as described above. Described again briefly, locking pin 218 is moved in the rearward direction (arrow B) in access openings 246 until the pin is carried over the locking surface 210 and onto arcuate peripheral edge 318, while simultaneous closing force is applied to the blade. The closing force is continually applied to the blade, causing the blade to rotate back into the closed position (in the direction opposite arrow A, FIGS. 20, 21) until locking pin 218 rides over shoulder 316 and springs into notch 320 under the force of springs 228. As noted earlier, this locks the blade in the closed position. This motion also re-coils springs 302 into their original positions.

[0084] The terms and expressions which have been employed in the foregoing specification are used therein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims which follow.