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    US7562455B2 patent

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
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    11 views16 pages

    US7562455B2

    Uploaded by

    Darius White
    US7562455B2 patent

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
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    of 16
    2) United States Patent 6 03) 0) ey @y 6s) @) Gn (2) G8) 66) McHenry et al. AUTOMATIC OPENING AND CLOSING KNIFE lnveators: William MeHenry, Wyoasing, RI (US) Steven Ingram, Porsand, OW (US) Assignee: Mentor Group, LLC. Oregon City, oR ws) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis pateat is extended of adjusted under 35 USC. 154(b) by O days This patent is subject to a terminal dis- claimer. Appl. No 11/999,288 Filed: Dee. 8, 2007 Prior Publication Data US 2008100868961 Apr. 17,2008. Related US. Application Data Continuation of application No, 11/341,008, filed on Jan. 27, 2006, now Pat. No. 7,305,768. (200601) 30/162; 30/168 ification Search 30/151 30162, 163, 164, 328, 195,336, 606167, 606/183 ‘See application file for complete search history. References Cited U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS IMAIT A 1876 Evans 472104 A 41892 Von Bultengslowen 475306 A /1892 Franklin 18 USOO7S 2 4 5B 624 US 7,562,455 B2 *Jul. 21, 2009 (10) Patent No. 4s) Date of Patent: S15745 A 4/1994 Von Bltzinsowen sso A 31907 Jenkins 124749 A 41012. Shobene URS9188 A 51932. Pemek Se 2260141 A O94 Hanke 2NSA74S A 101988 Braverman 266017 A S981 Colin 4926555 851990 Lemaire Sa7L948 A 12/1904 Lifton 48250 BL 92005 Cain Je etal FAOL382 B2* 912006. George a cosiis7 7308760 B2* 122007 Melleny ea SO:162 2n06iR07102 AL 9/2006 erold tal (OTHER PUBLICATIONS PCTIUSUNOND4, McHenry «tal, copending PCT by applicant scarch report and writen opinion. ‘series of 10 photograph ofan OTF knife, ascembled and ds ‘ond, aie rea 2000, * cited by examiner Primary Examiner (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Siu Payer Hancock Hughey LLP on ABSTRACT An out-the-ffont automatic knife incorporates dual locking ‘and release mechanisms that define 2 three-point blade- handle interconnection between the blede and the handle ‘whe the blade is locked inthe open position. single triager is operable to automatically open the knife, and to atsomati- cally close the knife, Separate firing and retraction springs ‘may be provided with different spring strength to vary the speed and strength ofthe blade moving o the open position, And to the closed position, Blade guide systems cause the blade to travel longitudinally and lieaely. The handle sub- stantially encloses the ble and incorporates an access port to facilitate cleaning and maintenance of components housed in the handle interior. 19 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets 28 16 U.S. Patent Jul. 21, 2009 Sheet 1 of 8 US 7,562,455 B2 U.S. Patent Jul. 21, 2009 Sheet 2 of 8 US 7,562,455 B2 U.S. Patent Jul. 21, 2009 Sheet 3 of 8 US 7,562,455 B2 U.S. Patent Jul. 21, 2009 Sheet 4 of 8 US 7,562,455 B2 U.S. Patent Tul. 21, 2009 Sheet 5 of 8 US 7,562,455 B2 - aay Boe a “a4 5 60gg 100.521917262140 101 2 22 10-—, 124 16 $54 98 66 75746070 9 \ & é 4 202, z= 140 F FIG. 108 SEG aba 140 254 200n38,), 224 21440 210 21 Sa US 7,562,455 B2 U.S, Patent Jul. 21,2009 Sheet 6 of 8 27 A 140 64 222 \200r|210f/ 224 140 214 19 28 204 [2244 74 oa ie 7 5 oS © fant Fae on 20020 aha ealatm | gy 20 aaa | 2167212 Pia 19 140 224 202r 227 140 FIG. 14 224 66\ 202r| 212f 224 70 (26212 R 212 4g 108 2 19° 202F 208 440 2200 227 140 FIG. 12 U.S. Patent Tul. 21, 2009 Sheet 7 of 8 US 7,562,455 B2 c 1914 140 74 200r 227 [79210f 2 140 210 _ 19 28 ® 204 | 294(222| mei aes 224 J214/ 75 210 nt . 216 212 a Biz | 227 70, 18 "206 5 220 212 140 FIG, 13 1° R \ 62 220 bar\y 212170) 140 218 212 212r 125 4g” 202 206449 66 20a 19 Too BIg 44. 19 U.S. Patent Jul. 21, 2009 Sheet 8 of 8 US 7,562,455 B2 US 7,562,455 B2 1 AUTOMATIC OPENING AND CLOSING KNIFE RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION ‘This application iss continuation of US. application Sex No. 11/341 008, iled Jan, 27,2006, now US. Pat. No. 7,30 1169 which is inconporated herein by reference FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to knives equipped with blades that ‘open automatically, and more particularly to Yout-the-front™ knives in which the blades open and close by sliding longi- tudinally into and out ofthe front ofthe handle, BACKGROUND “There are numerous different design for knives that have blades that slide longitudinally in the handle into the open > position and back into the closed position. These so-called out-he-front™ knives, referred to hercia as “OTF” knives, te sometimes mistakenly referred to a6 “Stiletto” type knives. However, the word “Stletio” more accurately refers tw a type of blade that has dual sharpened edges; Stiletto blades are commonly used in OTF knives. CTF knives are inherently weaker than folding knives ‘when the blades are in the open or extended position, The Primary reason is that folding knives almost always have at Feast two very strong points of connection oF interaction between the blade wad the handle. The first point of eonnee- tion isthe highly secure connection beoween the handle and the blade atthe blade pivot point, The second poiat of con- nection is between the tang ofthe Blade and a blade stoppin ‘nthe handle tat contacts the tang of the blade and stops the blade's rotation when the blade is rotated into the open posi- tion, These two strong connections between the handle and the blade result i folding knives that have very trong blade- ‘oshandle connections, What's more, many folding knives sad third strong point of eonnection between the blade and the handle lock that secures the blade in the open positon and which must be disengaged to move the blade into the ‘losed or folded position, Iwill be appreciated therefore hat reganiless of whether a folding knife has two or three o these ‘connection points or “lands, the blade is very securely tached to the handle. The result is thatthe blade is very securely eld in the open positon with a minimal amount of blade wobble relative othe handle "An OTF knife completely lacks the primary stabilizing ‘eature of folding knives: the pivot axis, Indeed, in almost all (OTF knives the blade travels focly in the handle atleast at some point during both the opening and closing motions. As result, OTF knives are notoriously weak and the blades are ‘ery prone to wobble when the blade is in the open position. Although OTF knives include locks to secure the blade inthe ‘open position, the locks tend to provide relatively Lite sup= port forthe blade. Typically, there are only one and at most ‘vo points of interconnection of lands between thehandleand the blade. The results that most OTF knives are litle more than novelties ll suited for tactical operations and serious work that requires strong knife. CTF knives generally use a spring-loaded mechanism to drive the blade from the closed tothe open position, There nee ‘wo basie spring mechanisms used in OTF knives. The ists sometimes called a “shutle” system, These systems use @ trigger o load the spring force thats applied tothe blade. The second common system isusesa “mechanical” reload system 0 o 2 thats similar in design toa crossbow. With these systems, the user manually loads the spring and that load is transferred t0 the blade when a trigger i aetivated. Typically, the tigger ‘mechanism in an OT is loested to one sid a the other ofthe spring mechanism, As result, when the blade is deve into the open positon t actually travels through serpentine path This causes unwanted Wear on pans, ineluding the sharpened. edges ofthe Blade, ‘With many OTF designs, the mechanism that locks the blade open not only is inherently weak as noted above, but also fails to correctly lock the blade in the open position, resulting in a misfire. When an OTP misfire, the blade is riven toward the open position but fils to loek, resulting ‘dangerous situation. misfire may also acer in the rtm ing direction with OTF knives that automatically retract the blade. A misfire wien retrcting the blade can obviously presenta dangerous situation, The presen invention relates oan OT knife that provides three points of interconnection between the handle and the blade when the blade is in the open positon, reslting in an extremely strong bladeytundle connection. The blade is riven to the open postion with fring spring. A separate retraction spring provides spring tension onthe blade to auto- ‘matically drive it from the open position into the stowed positon in the handle. Catching and fring mechanisms inter- ct witha triggerto lack and unlock the blade im both the open ‘and closed postions, The latch mechanism inches tinting Tunetion to correctly time when the blade opens and closes. The OTF knife of the present invention provides an extremely’sttong interconnection between the handle and the blade, andthe latching and fring mechanisms prevent si fires. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS, ‘The invention will be better understood and its numerous ‘objects and advantages will be apparent by reference to the {ollowing detailed deseripion of the invention when taken in conjunction with the following drawings. FIG. 1s a perspoctve view of an OTF kaife according 0 an ilhustrated embodiment of the present invention showing the blade inthe closed or stowed postion. In FIG. A the blade fs shown in dashed ines. FIG. 2 isa perspective view ofthe knife shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the bade inthe extended or open pesition, FIG. 3s top plan view ofthe knife fhastated in FIG. 1. FIG. 4s.atop plan view ofthe knife lustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. Sis. perspective view ofthe upper handle half af an OTF knife secondingto the present invention, illustrating the internal carriage means, FIG. 6isa perspective exploded view ofthe knife shown in FIG. 1 showing the components ofthe knife. PIGS, 7 throvgh 10 area series of plan views ofthe knife according to the present invention looking at the interior of the assembled. The series of drawings in FIGS. 7 thromgh 10 illustrate the carriqge assembly and associated internal com- poneats of the knife a its being opened and closed FIG. 7 is a plan view of the OTF knife according t the present iavention exposing the carriage and springs, ln FIG.7 the blade is inthe closed position andl locked position. FIG. 8 is a plan view similar to FIG. 7 except the fring trigger is being moved toward the fring postion, loading the firing spring so the blade is ready to be fred FIG. 9 is a plan view as shown in FIG. 7 with the blade locked inthe open position. US 7,562,455 B2 3 FIG. 10 is plan view as shown in FIG. 7 except the fring triggers being moved toward the retract position loading the retraction spring so the blade is ready to be close TIG. 104 is plan view of the lower handle half showing the interior side ofthe handle al and some componeats ot the firing and latching mechanisms. FIGS. 11 through 14 are a series of plan views ofthe kai shown in FIGS. through 10, except in FIGS. 11 rough M4 the illustrations show the operation ofthe fring and locking ‘mechanisms as the knife is opened and closed FIG. 11 isa plan view of the OTF knife according c the present invention with the lower handle ball removed 10 ‘expose the opening and latching mechanisms. In FIG. 1 the blade isin the locked and closed position. In FIG. 12 the trigger mechanism is being moved into the fring postion and, loading the fring speing inorder to drive the blade into the open positon, FIG. 13 ie plan view illustrating the firing and latching mechanisms when te blade is in the open and locked posi- TIG. 14 illastates the latching and firing mechanisms of the knife when the firing trigger is being moved into the retract positon, loading the retraction spring inorder to ready the blade to be driven into the elosed and locked position, FIG. 15 is 2 plan view of the blade used in the knife ‘acconting to the present invention, illustrating a first side of the blade FIG, 16 isa plan view lusting the oppenite side ofthe blade from PIG. 1. FIG. 17 isa plan view of leaf spring used in the present TIG, 18; a plan view of three stacked leaf springs ofthe type shown in FIG. 17 IG. 19 isanexploded view ofthe thre leaf springs show: in FG. 18, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of an OTF knife 10 in accordance “with the illustrated invention is shown in FIGS, A throngh 18, The primary structural components of knife 10 include a handle 12 that comprises atop or upper handle half 14 and 2 bottom of lower handle bal 16. The handle halves 14 and 16 ste mated iogetber and held in place against one another with screws 18 positioned around the periphery of the handle Serews 18 extend through openings 38 (see FIG. 6) in top handle half 14 and thread ito threded sleeves 19 retained ia the interior of handle half 12 in the assembled knife 10. Likewise, 9 second set of screws 18 extend through openings {38 in bottom hanalehalf 16 and thread into the apposite ence ‘ofthe threaded sleeves 19. Although not show inthe Figures orthe purposes of elariy, the outer surlsee of bottom handle half 16 includes gripping ridges and devorative facets, and a ip may optionally be installed, ‘When assembled together as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the two handle halves define a blade-receiving cavity 20 that receives blade 22. Blade 22 is movable longitudinally in handle 12 between the closed position of FIG. 1 andthe open position of FIG. 2 Bottom handle half 16 includes a notch 24 ‘atthe Forward or frat end 26 ofthe handle 12 that defines an ‘opening into the blade-receiving cavity 20. The end of handle 12 longitudinally opposite frontend 26 s referred to as rear- ‘ward orback end 28. trigger mechanism shown generally at $30 in FIGS. 1 and 2is located in the upper surface 32 of op handle half 14. The stricture and operation of rigger mecha- nism 30 and its various components is detailed below, 0 o 4 although in FIGS. 1 andl 2 de thumb lug. 34 is visible, Thumb Jug 3 acts a the firing trigger. With reference to FIG 1, the blade 22 is shown in the closed positon and thumb lug 34 is positioned at the rearward end of an elongate groove 36 Tormed in upper surface 42. When blade 22 isin the open position as seen in FIG. 2, thumb lig 34 is sid in groove 36 fowand the forward end of the groove. Relative diretional terms used herein are based upon the “forward” end 26 of handle 12, and rearward end 28. Likewise, “ipper” or “op” relersto the direction toward top handle balve 14 that houses the tigger mechanism and “lower” or “bottom” refers to the Geetion toward bottom handle hall 16. FIGS, 3 and 4are top plan views ofthe knife 10 ilustrated in FIGS. Land2, respectively, and show the position of thumb Jug M of trigger mechanism 30 in groove 36 when the blade 22 isin the closed position (FIG. 3) and the open position (iG. 4, Turning now to FIG. §, the interior side of upper handle hall 1 is shown. Openings 38 are labeled inthis figure, as noted above, screws 18 extead through openings 38 in boul handle halves and thread into opposite ses of sleeves 19 t0 connect the two handle halves together. A cavity referenced ‘gencmlly with number 40s formed in the ier surface 42 of handle half 14. Cavity 40 includes. relatively broader central portion 4, relatively nareower front extension 46 and rear extension 48. A Jongitimlly central trough $0 extends fro the forward portion of front extension 46, through central portion 44, and toward the rearward extent of rer extension ‘48. Cavity 40s formed into handle haf 14 in an appropriate ‘manner aeconding tothe material used to fabricate the handle ball For example, ifthe handle is metallic or similar bard- ened material, the cavity is milled into surface 42. Ifthe ‘handle is a moided material, the mold will include the cavity. The relatively broader central portion 44 of cavity 40 is. configured to slidably receive a carriage assembly $2, which as detailed below is pat of the blade setivation mechanisms And infereonncets between the trigger mechanism 30 and the ‘components of the latching and firing mechanisms. Carringe fssembly $2 includes a generally 1 shaped main body $3 that has to opposed forwardly extending leas $4, $6, and two ‘opposed rearwardly extending legs S#, 60. Leg Sd is slighth longer than opposite leg $6, snd legs 58 and 60 are of equal length tab 62 is formed onthe forward end of leg 4, where Jeg 4 is bent at about a 90° angle relative tothe remainder of the leg. A similar tab 64 is formed oa the fonvard end of leg '56, The tabs 62 and 64 provide a direct connection between ‘thumb lug 34 and earrige $2. Four additional tabs, labeled 66, 68, 70and 72 re provided ‘on eutrage assembly $2 and extend in the opposite direction trom tabs 62 and 64. The funetion of tabs 66 through 72 is datsiled below. ‘A spring ro 74s slidably attached 10 main body $3 such ‘hat the spring rod is received in tough 80. Thus, min body 53 includes a semi-circular depression § that receives the cvlindrcal spring od 74. tab 7S in the central potion ofthe ‘main body 83 partially encircles spring rod 74 to retain main body connected tothe spring ro, yetallows the spring rod to slide longitudinally in ough 50 relative othe eatiage main body 83, Spring rod 74 also i slidable relative to sin body 53. A forward keeper or catch 76 is provided onthe forward fend of spring rod 74 and « rearward keeper or catch 78 is provided on the opposite, rearward end, A forward spring 80 5s positioned around spring rod 74 between forward catch 76 And carriage main body §3. Forward spring 80 is sometimes refered to asthe “firing spring” Similarly, rearward spring. 82, sometimes refered to as the “retraction spring” is pos ‘tioned around spring rod 74 between rearward catch 78 and US 7,562,455 B2 5 the carriage main body. Forward and rearward spring 80 and 82 are spiral type springs that respectively, as detailed below. “rive the blade into the open position when the knife is fired, land drive the blade nto the closed position when retracted In the prefered embostiment, the springs usod to make the fring spring and the retracting spring are the same. However, the fring spring i slightly longer than the retraction spring when both springs aren the relaxed position, The puepase al thi is ‘explained below. Till be appreciated by inspection of FIG. 5 that trough 50 js sized o accommodate the width ofthe catches 76-and 78, ‘and spring rod 74 und springs 80 and 82, and hat the Tength of Spring tod 74 i somevshat less than the length of trough 80. This allows the spring rod to travel inthe tough Reference is now made to the exploded view of FIG. 6.11 will be appreciated that when carriage assembly. $2 is received inthe relatively broad portion 44 of cavity 40, tabs 62 and 64 extend throughs slots 84 and 86, respectively, ‘ormed in handle 14. When thumb lug 34 is assembled with Knife 10, the tbs 62 and 64 extend ito a cavity 88 formed ia the innerfacing surface of the thimb lig. Pach tab 62 and 64 has bore died through it (only ane bore 90 is shown on tb 64 in the perspective view of FIG. 6) that aligns with ‘cooperatively positioned bore 92 formed in thumb lug 34. Pins 95 are used to connect thmb lug 34 to tabs 62 and 64—the pins extend through the respective bores Formed tabs and the thumb lug. As described above and as illustrated in FIG. 6 leg 4s slightly longer than leg $6, Asa result, the tabs 62 and 64 interconnect with thamb hug 34 in an offset, orward and at rlationship, Thisoffst connection is signifi ‘cantly sttonger than single tb ta thumb Ing eonnection, ‘anon-staggered connection "Moving fom the bottom of the page of FIG. 6 upwanily, the next component assembly isthe eatiage assembly $2, which was described above. ‘A first liner 94 s positioned over the eartiage assembly 52 and retains the cariage assembly in place in cavity 40, with spring rod 74 held in trough 80. First Tiner 94 includes a longitudinally extending central slot 96, and lateral slots 98 ‘and 99 on one sido of central slot 96, and lateral siots and 100 fan 101 on the opposite side of central slot 96, The forward ‘end of slot 96 is closed to define a forward edge 97, and the rearwandendoftheslotisclosed to deinea rearward ge 89. In the assembled kaile, tb 66 of carriage assembly 52 ‘extends through lateral lot 98, tab 70 extends trough slo. 99, tab 68 extends through slot 100, and tab 72 extends through slot 101 Sleeves 19 extend through openings 102 formed through frst line 94 in positions corresponding tthe posi- tions of openings 38 in upper handle hall 14 and lower handle half 16. Continuing in the direction from the bottom of FIG. 6 ‘owant the op, blade 22 lays adjacent fist liner 94. Reference ‘snow madeto FIGS. 1S and 16, which deal the wo opposed sides of blade 22. FIG. 18 illostates the side of Blade 22 referred to herein a the driving side 108, IG. 16illustratesthe latching side 107. Asdetailed herein, ‘nthe assembled knife, driving Side 10S faces handle half 44 and interacts withthe components of cariage assembly 5210 drive blade 22 open and closed, Latehing side 107 faces handle half 16 and interacts with the firing and latching ‘mechanisms to lock the blade in the open ane! closed posi tions. The rearward end of blade 22 s referred to generally as tang end 104, As best shossn in FIG. 16, there ia fest raised pad shown generally at 106 formed on tang end 104. First raised pad 106 defines a forward edge 108, a rearward edge 114, and laterally opposed notches 110 and 112 slong the Jateral side edges of the raised pad. The lateral side edges of 0 o 6 raised pad 106 are parallel. As detailed below, the various portions of ist raised pad 106 just described interact with the ‘components of the ring and latching mechanisms o lockand ‘unlock the blade 22. The wich of raised pad 106s ilastrats ‘with dimension X. Dimension X is very slightly’ Tess han the ‘width of @ central slot 128 formed ina second liner 126 that lies betwoen blade 22 and bottom: handle haf 16 s0the lade 22 sides easily along liner 126, but the Blade is guided by the ‘sed pad 106 as it moves along and in slot 128 With reference to FIG. 18, the driving side 108 of blade 22, also includes a second raised pad 116 on tang end 104, Raised pad 116 is generally H-shoped and rectangular in its perim- ‘ter shapo, with parallel lateral side clges, Second raised pad 116 defines a forwardly-facing and opening notch 118 in the {forward portion of the pad and a rearwardly-facing and open- we notch 120 in the rearward edge. The forward ends of raised pad 116 ae identified with eference number 119. The ‘width of pad 116 between opposed side edges 122 and 124 is represented by dimension X It willbe appreciated tat inthe ‘assembled knife, pad 116 fis into central slot 96 of liner 94 ‘The width of dimension X is very slightly Tess than the width of slo 96 so that blade 22 slides easily along liner 94, and the blade is ded by the mised pad 116 as it moves along and in slot 96. As detsled below, the components of the earriage assembly, and in particular the sprig od 74, interact with ‘sevond ised pal 116 0 drive the blade into the extended and closed positions Twill be noted that the from the from edge 108 of raised pad 1060 the forwardmosttip of blade 22 sslightly less than {he distance from the font ends 199 of raised pod 116 1 the orwandmost tip of blade 22, Said another way, the overall Jength of raised pad 106 measured from rear edge 11410 front edge 108 is slightly greater than the overall lengths of mised pad 116 measured from the war edge othe forward ends 119. The purpose for ths difference is explined below. ‘Although in the illusfated embodiment the widths of raised pad 106 and raised pod 116 are the same (ie, dmen- sion X), there is no reason why the two pads must have the Same width. [twill farther he appreciated that fis ised pad 106 has a different geometric shape and configuration from second raised pad 116-the second mised pad is generally Heshaped and thefts raised pad i, in a manner of speaking, senenlly V-shaped. Preferably, blade 22 is formed as an integral, monolithic piece, including the first used pad 106 ‘andthe second mused pad 116, although they have different geometries, By forming the blade and the pads as mono- lithic, unitary piece, the strength of the blade and the raised pads is inereased substantially Returning now to FIG. 6, the next component is second liner 126. Second liner 126 includes a central sot 128 having ‘closed forward ead that defines a forward edge 130, Sia- larly, the rearward end of liner 126 is closed w deine & rearward edge 131, Sleeves 19 extend through openings 132 ormed in appropriate locations around the periphery of sec- ‘ond Finer 126. InFIG. 6 it may be sen that openings 132 are ormed in extended portions 133 formed on the second liner 126 (see eg. FIG. 14). These extended portions 133 ft ‘within cooperatively shaped recesses 135 formed in handle bal 16 (see FIG. 10), thereby securing the liner relative to the handle. The diameter of sleeves 19 is greater than the iameter of openings 132. Accordingly. when the lower handle half 16 i assembled with screws 18 threaded! into sleeves 19, the scone! Finer 126s drawn tightly against losser handle half 16, and the latching and firing mechanisms described below are captured inthis combined lower handle half and atached second lint. Roth fist liner 94 and second Tinee 126 are preferably formed from a relatively bard metal US 7,562,455 B2 1 because, as described below, the eeatral slots of the Hiners define a guide system for ensuring lincar travel of the Blade, ‘With ference once again o FIG. 10A,a threaded opening 141 is formed throwgh handle half 16 isthe rearward end 26. AAserew 142 is normally threaded into opening 141 to thereby ‘lose the opening. Opening 141 defines an access portintothe ‘terior of the handle so thatthe interior may be cleaned and the interior mechanisms oiled. twill be appreciates that with the OTF knife illustrated and deseribed herein, the handle 12 cetiely encloses the blade in the interior ofthe handle. As a result, the interior of the handle ean be very’ dificult o clean ‘and service with oi. Inthe present invention, the interior surfaces andl components are raised as much as possible to Nod sharp corners where debrismight accuilate, By blow ing compressed air though opening 141, debris is ejected through the blade opening atthe forward end of the handle Similarly, oil may be introduced into the handle through ‘opening 141. This facilitates easy cleaning and oiling ofthe kite "The fring and locking mechanisms will now be desribed. > ‘These mechanisms are defined by a group of spring loaded Tate arms that are pivotally attached between lower handle half 16 which in FIG. 6 is atthe top ofthe page) and second Finer 126. As detailed, the atch arms are activated by tabs 66, 68, 70 and 72 on carriage main body 53. The forward pair of latch amis is referred to as arms 200 snd 202, As bes seen EIGS. 6 and 10A, each of the latch arms has an outwardly ‘acing edge that is gently serpentine and S-shaped. ‘Fach of the latch arms is mounted with a pin that has a first, ‘end residing in a cylindrical depression formed inthe inner- facing side of handle half 16, extends through the latch ama ‘and into a cooperative opening in second liner 126. With ‘continsing reference to FG. 6, and funler with reference to FIG. 104, latch arm 200s pivotally mounted to in handle bal 416 with pin 204, which as noted fis into a cylindrical recess Jormed in de inner-tacing surface of handle half 16. Fach of thelatch armsismouited in anidentica fashion witha pin. As best seen in FIG. 6, the pins (e., pin 204) include a base Portion that fits into the eylindreal ress inthe handle, and a rod portion that extends through an opening inthe latch am 1d into an opening in second liner 126. Ths, latch arm 202 js pivotally mounted between handle half 16and second lnee 126 with spin 206. The rearward pair of latch arms is iden- lied with reference numbers 210 and 212, respectively. Am 210ispivotally mounted to with pin 214, and latch arm 212 is pivotally mounted with pin 216. A psirat leaf springs 220and 222 provides spring force aginst the atch arms. Specialy, leaf spring 220 engnges arms 200 nd 210, and leaf spring 222 ‘engages arms 202 and 212. The opposite ends of the leaf springs ride in notches 224 formed in the latch arms nea the pivot points defined by the pins 200, 202, 204 and 206, respectively, “The leaf springs ae held in compressed condition in by tabs 227 formed in handle half 16. From FIG. 10A iil be ‘appreciated that when the leaf springs are assembled in the handle half 16, the springs apply outwardy-directed pressure to te latch arms. With respect to arms 200 and 202, the leat springs exert pressure againstthe arms rearwardly of he pivot points defined by pins 204 snd 206, With respect to sams 240 and 212, the leaf springs exert pressure against the arms Torwad of the pivot points defined by pins 214 and 216. The respective forward and rearward end ofthe latch arms are ‘identified withthe number ofthe latch aem, and the letter "I" to denote forward, andthe letter "Fto denote rearward. Ths, the forward end of arm 200i labeled 2007. The rearward end ‘of ann 200 is labeled 200. The forward end of arm 210 is Jabeled 210r, and the rearward end is 210f and so on. Leaf 0 o 8 spring 222 oporats om fc ems 202 al 212. The forward rl of pring 220 rides in notch 224 of arm 202, st the ‘eaevard end of the spring ride in notch 224 ofa 212. The ‘arsine foe of pring 220 nomally anges Torsard ent 2037 farm 202 inwardly (ward the Tong mine of Sand nf 16) and kos rg the rearward end 202r of am 202 inwardly. Lea spring 220 operates inn enti Stanneron atcharms 200 and 310 al mes rang ware nef 200f and rearward end 2107 inwardly. The relative ore Sls! by leat springs 220 and 222 may be ase by ‘tying trent of th material used forthe spring. A Single leaf sping 220 fs ilstated in FIG. 17, wil be anpeciied that siongee spring force may beaecomplishea by “stacking” plural leaf springs, as shown in FIG. 18, which ipstates thee sacked et springs 220, FIG. 1 iste thee stake en rings 220 separated fom one another There fe other equivalent methods of varying the speng force appli! by the eat springs. for example by judi seleton of materi used to make the spring ‘With specie reference to FG, 10A, the ltr intexior sida ofthe botiom handle half 16 are contoured aoset wheres 200, 202 and 210/and212/appmoch tine tb aeneralyconiorm tothe serpentine Shape ofthe core sponding outwinficing portions ofthe kth arms. As the Inch ars pivot about the pivot points defined by the mount ing pm, the forward and carvan eds ofthe atch a tier move toward, or away fron, the interior mine ofthe handle, dopending upon which diction the thumb og 34's Being moved and actvatd by the tbs 65, 68.70 and 72. It nay be ace in 1G. TOA that tho tabs just mentioned reside tnd tnvellngitadnally in widened pron of hand half 16 identified with ference number 140, ouardly of and ajocnt othe tchans. Asda blo ashe tambo 4s moved forward and af the tabs 66 through 72 move Forward and aft and acton th especie latch ams. Returning to FIG. 6, the final component of knife 10 is bottom halal 16. wll bappeeinted that when al of the components shove n FG. 6 are assembled the nerior Components are held betcen the two interconnected handle falves and the blade sonata slidable i the Rane cen open an closed postions. Having described the scr! components of knife 1, theopeaton of theknifewill om be described in detail with reference to operation ofthe locking and fring mechanisms Reference rma the snes of FIGS. 7 through 10, and the comesponding series of FIGS, 11 through 13. FIGS, 7 through 10 show the carigesisembly and sociated come eoneats andthe view i fom the inferior lokingtowar Toverhandleha 16. 1n FIGS, 11 though 4, the vii fom the inenor looking toward upper handle hall 14, FIGS. 11 throug 16 deta he ring and latching mechanisms. FIGS. 7 through 10 ap the desertion of thm correspond io FIGS. 11 though 14 and de Conesponding devcption, Th, Fig. and 11 show the knife withthe Bade in the same onion except the’ show fren mechanisms within the Ernie. FG. corresponds to FIG. 12 nthe same mann, 1G S corespond 0 FIG 13, sl 3009 ‘eginning with FIG. 7 andthe coresponding FIG. 1, the fe 10 showa wth blade 22 inthe clove poston with: bade locked, When the Bade 22 i inthe cewed ad fock pein, thumb ng Miva the earl most pink Inproove3o,shownschomatally witharyw A. Assbomnn Fil. 7, catch 78 onthe rearvand end of spring rod 74 is ngiged with poh 20of aed pad 116. nah posonsthe fora oe fring spring 80 is ven” sity compressed fetwoon the mnin bey 3 and forma catch 76. The rear ‘ard oersroton spring 82 is similarly fal compres US 7,562,455 B2 9 between main body $8 and rearward cateh 78, Turning to FIG. IL, a6 noted earlier, leaf springs 220 and 222 are pressing ‘aginst the activation arms, urging the Forward ends of 200/ ‘nd 202 inwardly, and the rearward ends 210° and 212r inwardly. As noted, tabs 66, 68, 70 and 72 reside in widened portions 140 of handle half 16, Tabs 70 and 72 are in 2 “neutral” position, rearward ofthe pivot point for arms 210 and 212 defined by pins 214 and 216, respectively. In this ‘context, “neutral” means the tabs are not exerting any press sure and the activation arms ad the arms are under the inli- ‘ence of the lea springs. Tabs 66 and 68 are, however, acting ‘on arms 202 and 200, respectively. Thus, 28 seen in FIG. 11 the tabs 66nd 68 are in contact withthe respective activation arms rearward of the pivot points defined by pins 206 nd 204, ‘causing, forward ends 200/ and 202/%0 be moved outwardly towanl the respective lateral sides oF knife 10, and against the force of lea springs 220 and 222, which constantly unge orward ends 200/and 202/ inwardly. Under the biasing force applied by leat springs 220 and 222, the rearwardend 210? of ‘ctvation arm 210 is pressed into notch 110 of raised pad 106 ‘on tang portion 104. Likewise, rearward end 212+ of activ tion arm 242 is pressed into notch 112 of raised pad 106. [ease forward spring 80 is slightly compressed and catch 7Bisengaging notch 1200n raised pad 116, the Blade isbeing urged by slight spring force inthe forward direction. This holds the rearward ends 210, and 212r securely ia notches 119and 112, respectively, securely locking the blade 22 inthe ‘losed position and preventing it from moving until the Blade is atively release. ‘Moving next 0 FIGS, 8 and 12, thumb ug 34 8 moved in the forwant direction shown with arrow I, As the thumb hig moves in grove 36, main body $3 of cariage assembly 52 slides forward, while spring rod 74 remains stationary, emus- in firing oping 80 be compresed between main body 3 and forwardeatch 76. This load ring spring 80 ith signi ‘cant spring foree; as noted previously, fring spring 80 is slightly longer than retraction spring 82. Simultaneously as main body 83 slides forwanily, tabs 66, 68, 70 and 72 mave ‘correspondingly forward. With reference to FIG. 12, as tabs {66 and 68 move inthe forward direction the abs stop exerting pressure on amas 202 and 200, and under the biasing force of Feaf springs 220 and 222, forward ends 200/ and 202/:ain ‘move inwardly. At the same time, tbs 70 and 72 ae moved in {oat ofthe pivot points defined by pins 214 and 216, and as this happens, the tabs exert inwarly-direoted pressure on the forward portions of arms 210 and 212, casing rearward ends 210" and 212r move outwardly in the direction of arrows R ‘under the force applied to ans 210 and 212 by springs 220 ‘and 222, Once the rsrwand ends 2107 and 212, have moved, simultaneously out of notches 110 and 112 and have thus ‘cleared raised pad 116, the Blade 22 is unlocked and released, resulting in te blade being driven forward rapidly under the spring force upplied tothe blade by firing spring 80, which is scting on the lade by virtue of rearward catch 78 engaging notch 120 on raised pad 116. At this point the blade travels Jongitadinally forward rapidly. Because dimensions X of raised pads 106 nd 116are in close tolerance othe widths of the central slots 128i liner 126, and 96 in liner 94, in which the raised pads ride, and because the dual ate arms 240 and 212release their locking engagement withthe raised pad 116 ‘simultaneously, the blade is driven highly Tineaely with ile ‘variance or wobble, Reference is now made to FIG. 9 and cortesponding FIG. 13. The forward travel of blade 22 (arrow C) is stopped when the forward ede 108 of rased pad 106 hits the forward closed ‘nid 130 of central slot 128—the closed end acts as a lade stop, As noted earlier, the length of raised pad 116 s slightly 0 o 10 Jess than the length of raised pad 106. Accordingly, forward ‘ends 119 of raised pad 116 do not contact the closed end 97 of fint ine 94. Spring rod 74 moves in the forward direction as orwardcatch 76 engages notch 118 of raised pad 116. short istanee before the forward wavel of blade 22 stops, eraction spring #2 compresses slightly between main boy 53 ofc ‘age assembly 52 and rearward catch 78. This slight com- pression of the retraction spring functions to cushion the Impact of blade 22 when it stops its forward travel Simultaneously, and with reference to FIG. 13, tabs 66.nd {68have moved forwardof the pivot points defined by pins 206 and 204. As a result, forward ends 200/and 202/ are urged inwardly under the foree applied to arms 200 and 202 by leat springs 220 and 222, Once the reanwanl edge 114 of mised ‘pac 106 sin front of the forward ends 200/ and 202, those ends move inwardly, engaging the rearward edge 114 and seourely locking the blade 22 in the forward postion. Inthe preferred embodiment, retraction spring 82 i slightly com- pressed when the blade is in his position, which results in a Slight force urging the blade 22 inwardly (by virtue of the engagement between forward catch 76 and notch 118), Tabs (66 and 68 are now ina neutral position. However, abs 70 and ‘Tare now pressed against ars 210 and 212 near the respec- tive forward ends of those arms (210f and 212), causing the rat ends of those amis (2107 and 2127) to be positioned ‘outwardly as shows in FIG. 13 Autoniatic retretion of blade 22 from the openand locked positon tothe closed and locked positon is detailed in the paired images of FIGS. 10 and 14. Beginning with FIG. 1 ‘when blade 22 is in the open locked position, both retraction spring #2 and fring pin 80 ar slightly compressed. Forward catch 76 on spring rod 74 is engaged with noteh 118, and as Setsiled above, the forward ends 200/ and 202f of ams 200 ‘and 202 are wedged behind rearward edge 114 of raised pad 106. As thumb lig 32 is moved rearwardly, represented by ‘arrow D, main body $3 of eaeriage assembly 82 slides slong spring rod 74, causing significant compression of reaction Spring 82 berwoen rearwaed eatch 78 ad main body 83, At this point, spring rod 74 is held stationary by virtue of the ‘engagement between the rol andthe blade. With reference to FIG. 14, as thumb lug 32 is moved rearwardly (arrow D), tabs 66 an 68 slide rearwardly past the pivot points defined by pins 204 and 206. Once these tabs reach a point behind the pivot points the tabs exert inwardly-

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