TWI480144B - Folding knife and method of opening a knife blade - Google Patents

Description

Folding knife and method of opening the blade Field of invention

The present invention relates to a folding knife provided with a mechanism for providing opening assistance to the blade, and in particular to a knife in which a spring acts on the blade to drive the blade from a closed position to an open position.

background

Most folding knives have some mechanism for holding the blade or working tool in the closed position, and in this closed position the sharp edge of the blade is securely held within the grip. There are a number of conventional mechanisms for holding the blade in the closed position, and there are various reasons why these mechanisms are used, and for other reasons, the blade holding mechanism prevents accidental opening of the knife and thus improves safety. .

The automatic opening mechanism and the so-called "opening aid" mechanism can be incorporated into the folding knife. Generally, in a knife having an automatic opening mechanism, the blade is held in a closed position by a locking trigger mechanism. When closed, the blade is attached to a fixed "preload" pressure from a spring mechanism. When the trigger is released, the blade is automatically driven to the open position by the spring mechanism. On the other hand, in a knife having an opening assist mechanism, the blade is held in the closed position and does not require a catch or trigger. The opening assist function is provided by a spring mechanism that operates on the blade, and when the user manually turns the blade from the closed position to the open position, the spring mechanism acting on the blade reaches a critical point. The spring drives the blade to the open position after the blade has rotated beyond the critical point.

A knife provided with both an automatic and an opening assist mechanism typically includes a locking mechanism for locking the blade to open, and in many opening assisting knives, the same spring mechanism that drives the blade to open also holds the blade shut down.

Opening the auxiliary mechanism has become very popular for a variety of reasons. For example, in a suitable environment and for the appropriate user, there are many advantages derived from the assisted opening of the knife and many situations in which the automatic knife can be very useful. These usually include the case where the user has only one empty hand, but even in a knife that includes an automatic opening or opening assist mechanism, safety considerations force the blade to remain in the closed position until the user intentionally and intentionally the blade Move to the open position. For example, a mechanism that holds a blade closed can never be released when the knife is dropped. With the opening of auxiliary knives becoming more and more popular, many new institutions have been developed.

However, there is always a need for a mechanism that provides an opening assist feature for the knife.

The present invention includes a folding knife having an opening assist mechanism, and in a first illustrated embodiment, the mechanism of the present invention relies on a pair of torsion springs that are axially retained on the blade pin and In a pair of sleeves that are fixed relative to the knife grip. A spring and a sleeve are disposed on each lateral side of the blade, and one leg of each spring is fixed to the sleeve. The opposite leg of the spring spans over a pocket and the pocket is formed on the surface of the blade and axially surrounds the opening through which the blade shaft is inserted. When the blade is in the closed position, the torsion springs are "loaded" but do not apply their spring force to the blade, but instead apply their forces to the fixed bushing. When the blade is rotated from the closed position toward the open position, the legs of the springs rotate through and cooperate to form a structure on the sleeves to immediately transmit the spring pressure to the blade and drive the blade to open . When the blade is thus rotated from the closed position toward the open position, the mechanism of the present invention rotatably drives the blade to the fully open position upon a predetermined point of rotation, or "critical" point, by rotation of the blade. This is achieved by the pair of springs, and the springs act on the blade and thus apply sufficient rotational motion to the blade to enable the inertia to drive the blade to the fully open position. A locking mechanism locks the blade in the open position. When the blade is rotated from the open position to the closed position, the torsion springs will be loaded again, and once passed through a desired point of rotation, one of the legs of each spring moves into one of the pockets of the sleeve And the rotational force of the spring is transmitted by the blade to the fixed bushing so that the blade can stay in the closed position.

The mechanism of the present invention can also be constructed to rely solely on a torsion spring that is structurally and functionally identical to the pair of springs described above.

Simple illustration

The invention will be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages are apparent from the <RTIgt;

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first illustrated embodiment of a knife having an opening assist mechanism of the present invention, and the blade of the blade of Figure 1 is in the locked open position.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the blade shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a side view similar to Figure 2, and the blade position shown is intermediate between the open position and the closed position.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the knife shown in Figure 3 showing the blade in a fully closed position.

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the knife of Figure 1 showing the selected components.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the torsion springs.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of another relative torsion spring.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of one of the bushings.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the shank portion of the blade showing the blade pocket portion in which a torsion spring is disposed.

Figures 10 through 13 show schematically a series of structural steps that occur when the blade is rotated from the open position to the closed position.

Figure 10 is a side, semi-schematic and cross-sectional view showing the structure of the automatic assist mechanism when the blade is in the fully open and locked position.

Figure 11 is a side, semi-schematic and cross-sectional view showing the structure of the automatic assist mechanism when the blade has been rotated about 60 degrees from the fully closed position toward the open position.

Figure 12 is a side, semi-schematic and cross-sectional view showing the structure of the automatic assist mechanism when the blade has been rotated about 40 degrees from the fully closed position toward the open position.

Figure 13 is a side, semi-schematic and cross-sectional view showing the structure of the automatic assist mechanism when the blade is in the closed position.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary top cross-sectional view of Figure 1 taken through the front portion of the grip showing the blade in the open position.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary top cross-sectional view taken through the same position as Figure 14, but showing the blade in the closed position.

Figures 16 through 19 are a series of semi-schematic and semi-cross-sectional views showing the blade, torsion spring and bushing during a series of events occurring when the blade is rotated from the open position to the closed position.

Figure 16 shows the structural configuration of the blades, torsion springs and bushings when the blade is in the open position. Figure 16 roughly corresponds to Figure 10.

Figure 17 shows the structural configuration of the blades, torsion springs and bushings when the blade is rotated about 120 degrees from the fully open position toward the closed position. Figure 17 roughly corresponds to Figure 11.

Figure 18 shows the structural configuration of the blades, torsion springs and bushings when the blade is rotated about 140 degrees from the fully open position toward the closed position. Figure 18 roughly corresponds to Figure 12.

Figure 19 shows the structural configuration of the blades, torsion springs and bushings when the blade is in the closed position. Figure 19 roughly corresponds to Figure 13.

Figures 20 to 25 show another preferred embodiment of one of the opening assist mechanisms of the present invention. In detail,

Figure 20 is a perspective and partial cross-sectional view showing a selection structure of a blade of one of the opening assist mechanisms of the present invention, and shows various components in an exploded view.

Figure 21 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the selected structure of the blade shown in Figure 20, showing the blade assembled with a side wall of a grip and the blade being in the closed position.

Fig. 22A is a cross-sectional view showing the selection structure of the blade shown in Fig. 20, and the blade is in the fully open position.

Figure 22B is a cross-sectional view of the knife shown in Figure 22A, and the blade is rotated to an intermediate position between fully open and fully closed, and the leg of the spring engages the blade in a position to the blade Drive from this off to on.

Figure 22C is a cross-sectional view of the knife shown in Figures 22A and 22B with the blade in the fully closed position.

Figure 23 is a plan view of the knife having the opening assist mechanism shown in Figure 20, and the proximal side wall is removed to expose the blade and the opening assist mechanism and the blade is in the closed position.

Figure 24 is a plan view similar to Figure 23, but showing the blade in an intermediate position when it is moved from the opening to the closed position.

Figure 25 is a plan view similar to Figures 22 and 23, but showing the blade in the fully open position.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

The first illustrated embodiment of the folding knife 10 of the present invention having an opening assist mechanism is shown in Figures 1 through 19. The folding knife 10 includes an elongated grip 12 and a pivotally coupled to the grip at one end thereof - hereinafter referred to as the "front" end of the grip. Other relative direction terms correspond to this rule: the "back" or shank end of the grip is opposite the front end; the "upper" portion of the blade is a blunt non-working portion and the "lower" portion of the blade is sharpened The working part; "inside" or "inward" means the structural center of the knife. Figures 1 and 2 show the knife 10 and the blade 14 is in the open position. Figure 3 shows the blade in its midway rotation from the open position to the closed position, and in Figure 4, the blade is shown closed in a portion of the blade shown in phantom in a blade receiving slot. Position, and the blade receiving groove is formed in the grip 12 and is located between the side walls. An XYZ axis coordinate is shown in Figure 1 and the XY plane is defined as a plane parallel to the plane defined by the grip 12 and the blade 14 - when the blade is rotated between the closed position and the open position Move in the XY plane. The Z-plane is the plane transverse to the X-Y - the blade pivot pin extends longitudinally in the Z-plane.

The blade 14 of the knife 10 of the present invention has a blade locking mechanism such that the blade can be securely locked in the open position to prevent the blade from accidentally moving to its closed position. The blade locking mechanism will be described below.

The grip 12 of the knife 10 includes a plurality of components, including a pair of oppositely disposed side wall segments generally indicated at 16, 18, and the side wall segments 16, 18 are parallel to each other and separated by a divider 20, while only shown in FIG. One of the dividers 20. Each of the side wall sections 16 and 18 includes a liner and an outer panel that are held in parallel with each other. In detail, the side wall 16 is formed by the gasket 17 and the outer panel 19. Similarly, the side wall 18 is formed by the liner 21 and the outer panel 23. The spacers 20 are cylindrical sleeves having an inner screw hole, and a plurality of screws 22 are screwed into the aforementioned inner screw holes. Thus, the screws connect the dividers to the pads 17 and 21 of the side walls 16 and 18 to maintain the grip 12 in a connected relationship with the side walls 16 and 18 that are held in a separate relationship. The side wall sections 16 and 18 can be made of any suitable material such as a reinforced synthetic plastic; other suitable materials include metal, other plastics, wood, and the like. The side wall segments can be made in one piece or in multiple pieces and, as shown in Fig. 1, can include a selective pocket clip 25, if desired, attached to the outer surface of the side wall 16.

The blade 14 is pivotally coupled to the grip 12 and adjacent to the grip The blade used with the knife 10 can be of any conventional type. The blade shown in the drawings includes an elongate working portion, indicated at 24, and a tang portion, indicated at 26, and the blade 14 is pivotally coupled to a blade pin (described in more detail below). Grip 12. The working portion 24 generally includes a sharp edge 30 and a frontless edge 32, and a thumb operating lug 34 can be included in the blade 14 to assist in opening and closing the blade.

A blade receiving slot 36 is formed between the side walls 16, 18 by means of the aforementioned screw 22, and the blade receiving groove 36 defines a slot in which the blade 14 is received when the blade 14 is moved to its closed position. . When the blade is in the closed position, the sharp edge 30 of the blade is securely held within the grip.

The blade 14 is coupled to the grip 12 such that when the blade 14 is in its open position (Fig. 1), the working portion 24 of the blade extends away from the grip 12 and when the blade is in the open position or the closed position The tang portion 26 is located within the blade receiving slot 36 and between the pair of grip side walls. That is, the tang portion 26 is always positioned between the side walls 16 and 18 of the grip 12. The blade is pivotally coupled to the handle by the blade pin and the blade pin extends transversely to the plane of the blade and forms a blade pivot. Referring to FIG. 5, the blade pin 28 is formed by a cylindrical sleeve 44, and the sleeve 44 extends through a hole 40 formed in the gasket 21 and an alignment hole 42 formed in the gasket 17. And the sleeve also extends through the alignment pivot holes 46 through the tang portion 26 of the blade 14. In the assembled knife 10, the cylindrical sleeve 44 is tightly and fixedly fitted through a pivot hole 46 in the shank portion 26 of the blade 14 such that the sleeve defines relative to the blade and the like Lateral extension of the side wall The blade turns the pivot. As such, the sleeve 44 is axially aligned with the Z-direction - transverse to the X-Y plane. Referring to Figure 5, one end of the sleeve 44 has a lip 45 and the outer periphery of the lip 45 is knurled. The opposite ends of the sleeve 44 are received in a circular column recess 47 in each of the grips, and only one of the column recesses 47 is shown in FIG. A plurality of washers 50 are disposed between the blade 14 and the pads 17 and 21 such that the sleeve 44 extends through the gasket.

The opposite ends of a blade stop pin 48 are anchored to the column hole 52 formed in the outer plates 19 and 23 and are fixed by screws 35 and 54 (only one of the column holes 52 is shown in Fig. 5), and the fifth The screw 38 shown in the drawing is screwed into the screw hole 39 in the gasket 17 - a screw hole 39 into which the same screw is screwed into the gasket 21.

When the knife 10 is combined with the various screws and spacers shown in the foregoing, the opposite ends of the cylindrical sleeves 44 are securely held in the column recess 47 and the blade is very stable.

As previously mentioned, the knife 10 has a locking mechanism for locking the blade in the open position. Referring to Fig. 5, the locking mechanism is generally indicated by the reference numeral 56 and is fully disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,574,869, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In detail, the locking mechanism 56 used in the blade 10 of the present invention is the same as the locking mechanism shown in the drawings of Figures 14 to 17 of the patent No. 6,574,869 and described in the specification of the patent. It will be appreciated herein that because the locking mechanism 56 does not form part of the present invention, not all components of the locking mechanism are shown or indicated in the figures. However, the blade lock pin 57 is indicated therein; it is a slot extending through the knife grip and its opposite end extending through the slot in the grips The spring biases the pin and the pin 57 locks the blade in the open position by its contact with the specialized surface of the tang portion 26. It should also be understood herein that there are many different types of locking mechanisms that can function well with the opening assist mechanisms described herein, including, for example, pad locks and lock back mechanisms.

Referring to Figure 5, the knife 10 has an opening assist mechanism 60 that includes several components. The mechanism 60 will be described generally with reference to a number of figures, and its structure and operation will be described in detail with reference to the other figures. As shown in FIG. 9, the tang portion 26 of the blade 14 has a circular recess 62 formed annularly around the aperture 46, and the blade pivot pin 28 extends through the aperture 46. The circular recess 62 defines an annular recess in the tang surface of the blade, and the annular recess can be formed by grinding the blade or molding the blade. As such, the recess has a seating surface 64 that is recessed below the surface 66 of the remainder of the shank portion 26. The first step portion 68 forms the outer peripheral edge of the base surface 64, and a pocket or groove 70 is formed in the recess 62 such that the groove is radiated axially outward from the center of the through hole 46. The groove 70 defines a portion of a cylinder such that its wall is curved. As described below, because the walls of the groove are curved, the spring legs that straddle the groove at some point during rotation of the blade can enter and exit the groove. A curved or inclined section 72 extends from one side of the groove 70 at the edge of the aperture 46 and is inclined upwardly by a short radial distance until the inclined section reaches the height of the seating surface 64. This inclined section 72 is not necessary for the reasons detailed below. Finally, the circular recess 62 includes a scalloped portion 74 extending a short radial distance from the outermost edge of the groove 70 and surrounding the circular recess, and the edge of the outwardly formed scalloped portion 74 defines A portion having a larger diameter than the remaining portion of the circular recess 62.

Although only one side of the blade 14 is shown in Figure 9, it will be understood herein that the other side of the blade 14 includes a circular recess having the same structure as described herein. As described in more detail below, the circular recess structure on the other side of the blade is axially rotated relative to the structure shown in FIG.

The next structure of one of the components of the opening assist mechanism 60 is shown in Figure 8 and includes a bushing 80. The sleeve 80 is a generally cylindrical member 82 and has three flat portions 84, 86 and 88 spaced apart around the outer wall of the sleeve. Each flat portion extends partially along the cylindrical wall 89 of the sleeve 80 and defines a stop portion 85 for each flat portion. As described in more detail below, the sleeve is inserted into a form-fitting circular aperture in the pad having three flat portions 84, 86 and 88 corresponding to the sleeve. The flat part. The three flat portions of the bushing cooperate with the flat portions of the holes in the pads to secure the bushing relative to the pad and thereby prevent rotation of the bushing relative to the pad. The "inside" of the sleeve 80 defines a first diameter D1 in Figure 8, and the aperture at the "closed" end 83 of the sleeve defines a second diameter D2 that is less than D1 and The cylindrical wall 89 defines a height L1. Finally, a first notch 90 and a second notch 92 are formed in the annular edge 94 of the cylindrical wall 89. The second notch 92 is smaller than the first notch 90, and the inner diameter of the inner diameter of the gasket 50 is greater than the outer diameter of the sleeve 80 such that when the knife assembly is completed, the sleeves extend through the Wait for the washer.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7, below, the two torsion springs 96 and 98 used in the opening assist mechanism 60 are shown. The springs 96 and 98 are mirror images of each other and have a body length L2 that is slightly smaller than the height L1 of the cylindrical wall 89 of the sleeve 80 and a diameter D3 that is slightly smaller than the diameter D1 of the sleeve 80. Spring 96 is a left-handed spring and spring 98 is a right-handed spring. It should be understood herein that there are many different types of torsion springs that can be used in the present invention. The springs 96 and 98 shown herein have a flat linear spring with a helical body portion 101 and straight legs 100 and 102, and the legs 100 and 102 form a spring end.

Hereinafter, a bushing and a torsion spring are used to illustrate the assembly of the opening assist mechanism. However, as will be understood from the description of the embodiments and the illustrated embodiment, the opening assist mechanism relies on a bushing and twist on each side of the blade. spring. However, an opening assist mechanism can be constructed in accordance with the disclosure of only one torsion spring. In other words, the opening assist mechanism of the present invention can be manufactured using only a spring on one lateral side of the blade. While a spring on either side of the blade is a preferred embodiment, a single spring mechanism is also suitable.

Referring again to Figure 5, the knife 10 is assembled using springs 96 and 98 that are received in circular recesses 62 on opposite sides of the blade 14. Each leg portion 100 of each torsion spring rests in a notch 90 in the sleeve 80, and the sleeve 80 is inserted through the aperture 42 of the pad 17 and the flat portions 84, 86 and 88 are aligned to form the pad The corresponding flat part. The sleeve can be inserted through the aperture 42 until the stops 85 abut the outer wall of the liner. As previously mentioned, the flat portion of the sleeve 80 cooperates with the flat portion of the aperture 42 through the liner 17 to secure the sleeve relative to the liner. In other words, the sleeve 80 cannot be rotated. Since the diameter D2 of the sleeve 80 is smaller than the diameter D3 of the springs, the spring 98 is held inside the sleeve 80 and is held in the sleeve. The spring 96 and the sleeve 80 on the opposite lateral sides of the blade 14 are assembled in the same manner using the gasket 21, and the "outer" leg 100 of the spring 96 is retained in the notch 90 of the sleeve. Since the sleeve cannot be rotated and the leg portion 100 of the spring is held in the notch 90, one leg of each spring is fixed relative to the grip 12. A cylindrical sleeve 44 is inserted through the bosses, the springs, and the blades, and the opposite ends of the sleeve are respectively retained in the column pits in the outer plates 19 and 23 of the grip side wall sections 16 and 18. Part 47. A scored outer lip on one end of the sleeve 44 prevents the sleeve from rotating relative to the grip, and it will be appreciated herein that because the sleeve 44 is axially inserted through the center of the spring, the sleeve acts as the sleeve The shaft of the spring.

As previously mentioned, the body length L2 of the spring 96 is slightly less than the height L1 of the sleeve 80. When the knife is fully assembled and the two halves of the grip are screwed together, the sleeve 80, which is fixed relative to the grip 12 as described above, holds the innermost leg portions 102 of the springs 96 and 98 against the grooves 70 on either side of the blade. The inner annular edge 94 of the sleeve 80 is adjacent to the surface 64.

Referring to Figure 9, the leg portion 102 of the spring 96 is located in the groove 70 when the knife 10 is assembled, and at least at the time the blade is closed to open as detailed below, and from moments of opening to closing. . The length of the leg portion 102 is greater than the length of the angled section 72 of the circular recess 62 (e.g., as shown in Fig. 10) such that when the spring 96 is assembled with other related components, the end of the leg portion 102 extends to the groove The point in the slot 70 and ending by the inclined section 72. When the spring 96 is subjected to rotational torsion in the XY plane - that is, when the spring is "loaded", the inclined surface of the groove 70 creates a force vector in the Z plane - that is, transverse to the plane of the blade - And the force vector pushes the leg portion 102 of the spring 96 outward away from the groove in the cylindrical recess 62 and away from the slot through the blade toward the centerline. In other words, since the surface of the groove 70 forcing the abutment of the leg portion 102 is always inclined, there is a force in the Z plane that pushes the leg toward the sleeve 80 toward the groove, and the inclined portion 72 is provided for The spring leg 102 can be placed completely down the mechanical gap in the groove 70. As previously described and as shown in the figures, the springs 96 and 98 are flat wire springs. The relative geometry between the spring leg and the side of the groove 70 is important so that the spring leg can move in and out of the groove. It should be understood here that the geometry described herein can be modified to achieve the same functional characteristics.

The fixed bushing 80 holds the leg portion 102 in the groove 70, but when the blade rotates and winds the springs - that is, when the springs are loaded, the leg portion 102 is along the sleeve 80 The inner annular edge 94 slides until the interior of the legs begins to straddle the inclined sides of the grooves 70. When the rotation continues and the legs 102 are rotated toward the notches 92, a force vector is applied to the legs 102 in the direction of the Z-plane by the inclined edges of the grooves 70. When the legs 102 are aligned with the notches 92 in the sleeve 80, the legs are forced to enter the indentations very quickly. When the legs 102 are moved into the indentations 92, the rotational forces of the springs are immediately disengaged from the blade and transferred to the sleeve as previously described.

The operation of the opening assist mechanism 60 will be described in detail below with the blade 14 in the closed position (e.g., Figures 4, 13 and 15). When the blade 14 is in the closed position, the opening assist mechanism 60 does not apply pressure to the blade. When the blade is in the closed position, the springs 96 and 98 are twisted and loaded, but their rotational force is applied to the fixed bushing 80 through the leg portion 102. Thus, the opening assist mechanism 60 does not apply pressure to the blade and the blade is held in the closed position by the force applied by the locking mechanism 56 to the tang of the blade. The details of this locking mechanism 56 are fully disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,574,869. The force applied by the pin 57 to the blade 14 is sufficient to hold the blade in the closed position, and the blade does not open even when, for example, the knife is dropped or subjected to a strong "wrist" movement. . However, it is advantageous to include a "safe" mechanism that prevents the blade from opening when the blade is in the closed position.

As previously mentioned, the inner bore diameter in the washer is greater than the outer diameter of the sleeve 80. As shown in Figure 14, this allows the sleeves 80 to extend through the gasket in the assembled knife.

From the foregoing description, from the drawings and the following detailed description, the sleeve 80 can be replaced by any of the many equivalent structures. For example, the functional and structural characteristics of the bushing and its combination with the torsion spring can be reproduced using a "sleeve" that is part of the pad or grip rather than a separate member. . In another example, the grip can be made as a single member and the sleeve can be part of the one-piece grip half.

Figures 10 through 13 of the drawings show a sequence of operations that occur when the blade 14 is moved from the closed position (Fig. 13) to the open position (Fig. 10). Typically, the blade is rotated by the user applying pressure to the thumb lug 34. When the blade 14 is rotated, the circular recess 62 of the structural feature of the tang portion 26 rotates. This allows the structure associated with the circular recess 62 to be rotated relative to the fixed bushing 80, and this rotation is created between the blade, the bushing and the spring that is held in the bushing and a leg is secured thereto. The functional operation of the opening assist mechanism.

Referring to Figure 13, the blade 14 is shown held in this closed position by the forward pressure of the pin 57 of the locking mechanism 56 as previously described. Thus, the pin 57 is subjected to spring tension to push the pin in the forward direction as indicated by arrow A. The leg portion 100 of the spring 98 is retained in the notch 90 of the sleeve 80 and remains stationary, and the flat portion of the sleeve and the flat portion of the hole that extends through the liner 21 by the flat portion of the sleeve The sleeve 80 remains stationary. In Fig. 13, the spring 98 is wound up and thus has an effective potential energy. However, the leg portion 102 is located in the notch 92 and the position of the spring can thus be applied to the fixed bushing 80 without applying any rotational pressure to the blade 14 (ie, in the XY plane), but in the Z-plane direction. There is a force exerted on the blade by the curved edge of the notch 92.

See the next figure in the sequence of operations, Figure 12, the blade has begun to rotate towards the open position (arrow B). Here, the leg portion 102 of the spring 98 is still in the notch 92. Therefore, the positional energy of the spring has not yet been released and is still applied to the sleeve 80. At the same time, when the pin is placed over the tang of the blade, the pin 57 has been pushed rearward toward the shank end of the grip 12. Because the sides of the notch 92 are curved, the leg portion 102 abuts against a curved surface. This is the same as previously described for the leg 102 that is placed across the groove 70. Therefore, since the spring exerts an effective pressure on the side of the notch, there is a direction in which the leg is oriented in the Z-plane direction. The shank of the blade is pushed in the direction - that is, out of the notch 92. This applies a certain pressure between the leg 102 and the blade in the Z plane, but this is not the rotational pressure that will drive the blade open.

In Fig. 11, the blade has been rotated counterclockwise in the figure such that the leg portion 102 is just at the critical point of the notch 92 that is forced to escape the sleeve 80. When the leg 102 is forced out of the notch 92, the leg immediately moves into and engages the groove 70. Since the spring is wound and loaded, the movement of the spring leg into the groove 70 will enable the positional energy to be immediately transferred from the fixed sleeve 80 to the rotatable blade 14. As such, when the spring is unwound, the spring immediately applies its force to the blade to quickly push the blade to the open position.

In Figure 10, the illustrated blade is in the open and locked position. In this position, an edge on the tang of the blade abuts the pin 48 and this will cause the blade to stop rotating. The blade is locked by a pin 57 extending laterally through the upper edge of the tang and wedged between the side wall of the grip and the blade. It can be seen in Figure 10 that the leg 102 is placed in the groove 70 and has been rotated counterclockwise by the notch 92. Ideally, the spring 98 still exerts pressure on the blade to maintain this position.

Referring now to Figure 14, there is shown a knife 10 with the blade in the open position, and the figure is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the grip and blade attached to the grip by the blade. Since the blade 14 is in the open position, the legs 102 of the springs 96 and 98 are placed in the grooves 70 formed in the circular recesses 62 in the sides of the tang portion 26. The springs are held within the grooves by the inner annular edge 94 of the sleeve 80, and in position, the springs 96 and 98 are still slightly wound or loaded, so they will continue on the blade Some pressure is applied thereto and thus the blade is forced against the stop pin 48. It can be seen that the fixed leg portions 100 of the two springs are held in the notches 90 of the sleeve 80, and of course the notches 92 are unoccupied. Because the springs continue to apply pressure to the blade when the blade is in the open position, the locking mechanism ensures a positive lock. This situation is quite different from the many opening assist mechanisms that drive the blade to open after the blade has rotated to a certain point but do not apply pressure to the blade.

Fig. 15 is similar to Fig. 14, but it shows the knife 10 with the blade 14 in the closed position. Here, the springs 96 and 98 are completely wound and thus fully loaded in position. However, in this position, the legs 102 have been forced to separate from the blade 14 and thus stay in the notch 92 and here they apply their potential energy to the fixed bushing 80.

It should be understood herein that when the blade is in the open position, the locking mechanism can be unlocked and the blade can be rotated to the closed position. The sequence of events that occur when the blade is moved from open to closed is shown in a series of figures from Figures 10 through 13. First, referring to Fig. 10, the pin is unlocked by moving the pin of the locking mechanism 56 rearward toward the shank end of the knife, causing the pin to disengage from the blade. Next, the blade is rotated clockwise in Fig. 10 (i.e., in the direction of arrow B). When this occurs, the leg 102 is pushed by the edge of the groove 70, thereby winding the spring 98.

As the blade continues to rotate in a clockwise direction, the spring continues to be wound, or a load is applied to impart greater potential to the spring. In Fig. 11, the leg portion 102 is still in the groove 70, but the position of the leg portion 102 is approaching the point at which the leg is aligned with the notch 92. In Fig. 12, the leg 102 has been aligned with the notch 92 and the leg 102 is forced into the notch 92 by the groove 70, whereby the spring pressure is transmitted from the blade to the sleeve. The primary structure that allows the leg portion 102 to be forced into the notch 92 by the groove 70 is the angled side of the groove 70 that will "lift" the leg toward the notch 92 in the Z-plane. The angled section 72 also assists in creating a "lift" action that forces the leg to move in the Z-plane and into the gap 92, but as previously discussed, the primary function of the angled section 72 is to allow the leg 102 to be fully seated in the In the groove 70.

In Figure 13, it can be seen that the leg 102 is in the gap 92. Thus, the blade is free to rotate into the closed position. As previously mentioned, the spring pressure applied to the locking mechanism pushes the pin of the mechanism forward, holding the blade in the closed position.

Please refer to the series of figures 16 to 19 below, which includes a series of semi-schematic diagrams showing the structural and functional characteristics of the opening assist mechanism in sequence. In this series of drawings, only the components shown are the sleeves 80, the legs 102 of the springs 96 and 98, and a small portion of the blades 14. These figures are semi-schematic because they omit certain structures that are commonly seen in these views for clarity. Moreover, as previously discussed, the structures in the circular recesses 62 on each side of the blade are axially rotated relative to one another. In other words, the groove 70 on one side of the blade is not in the same position as the groove 70 on the opposite side of the blade. The main reason for the relative rotation of the structures is to maintain the strength and integrity of the blade, but in this regard, if these cross-sectional views are accurately constructed, not all of them are actually shown in Figures 16-19. The structure can be seen. However, they are presented herein in a manner to illustrate the invention and how it operates.

First, referring to Fig. 16, the blade 14 is in the open position. The two springs (96 and 98) are retained in the groove 70 because the inner annular edge 94 of the sleeve 80 is held tightly against the surface of the shank portion 26 of the blade. The springs are slightly loaded and the direction of the force applied by the springs to the blades is indicated by arrow A. Arrow B indicates the direction in which the force is applied to the blade 14 to move it from the open position toward the closed position. In this blade open position, the gap 92 is unoccupied.

In Figure 17, the blade has begun to rotate from the open position toward the closed position. When this occurs, the springs 96 and 98 are wound - loaded. That is, when the blade is rotated (indicated by arrow B - corresponding to the clockwise rotation of the blade in the views of Figures 10 through 13), the legs 102 are carried and pushed by the grooves 70 to Wind the springs. The notches 92 are still unoccupied, but the locations of the indentations are approaching the position of the legs 102.

In Figure 18 of the next sequence diagram, as the blade 14 continues to rotate in the direction indicated by arrow B, the notch 92 has now rotated to the point where the indentations begin to align with the legs 102 of the springs, and the legs Portion 102 is simultaneously "lifted" by the curved side of groove 70 in the direction of the Z-axis - indicated by arrow C. Once the legs 102 can be received in the indentations 92, they are pushed into the indentations by the curved sides of the grooves 70 and the spring force (arrow A) is immediately transmitted by the blade 14 to the sleeve 80. At this time, the blade is not subjected to the force applied by the opening assist mechanism and thus is free to rotate to the closed position. When the locking mechanism as described above is used with the knife, the transverse pin 57 pushes the blade at this point to continue moving toward the closed position.

In the final view of the sequence, Fig. 19, the blade 14 is in the closed position and there is no spring force applied to the blade by the springs 96 and 98. As previously mentioned, the springs 96 and 98 are subjected to an effective potential, but the energy (arrow A) is directed only to the sleeve 80. The legs 102 are placed at positions where the scalloped portions 74 are formed outwardly of the circular recesses 62.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that the opening assist mechanism described with reference to Figures 1 through 19 can be applied to a variety of other equivalent mechanical configurations, and as previously discussed, it can be appreciated that the sleeve 80 can be omitted and used to connect the torsion spring with the Replace the structure and method of the pad or grip. In this manner, the sleeve 80 can be considered to be replaced by any equivalent structure for performing the function, and there are many equivalent structures that can perform the function. For example, the structure defined by the sleeve can be formed as a portion of the liner or grip rather than a separate structure as described in the preferred embodiment. In addition, the sleeve can be replaced by a recess formed in the pad, and the recess is adapted to include the spring, secure a spring leg, and define a notch. Another spring leg can be placed in the notch to remove spring pressure from the blade and transfer the spring pressure to the pad. As such, the term "sleeve" as used herein is not limited to a structure that is separate from the pad or grip, but rather should be interpreted to include assistance in achieving the function of the bushing herein. Any structure.

The first illustrated embodiment of the folding knife 200 of the present invention having an opening assist mechanism is shown in Figures 20-25. Only selected structural components of the folding knife 200 are shown to illustrate the blade opening assist mechanism generally indicated by reference numeral 202; it will be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the above description of the knife 10 can be otherwise fully applied to the knife 200. In Figures 20 through 25, the knife 200 includes an elongate grip 204 and a blade 206 pivotally attached to the grip at the front end of the grip. The grip 204 includes opposing sidewalls 208 and 210 (Figs. 22A, 22B and 22C).

Only the side wall 208 is shown in Fig. 20 to show the components of the blade opening assist mechanism 202. The inner surface 212 of the grip sidewall 208 includes a first recess 214 that is coupled to a plurality of springs and other components (not shown) that use a blade locking mechanism, and that is not the subject of the present invention. Adjacent to the front of the first recess 214 is a cylindrical recess 216, and the cylindrical recess 216 defines a seat for receiving the sleeve 218, and the sleeve 218 holds a spring 220 as follows. . The cylindrical recess 216 includes a cylindrical inner stud 222 having a threaded bore 224, and the central axis of the threaded bore 224 defines a pivot about the blade 206 as the blade 206 moves between the open and closed positions. The axis. A pivot screw 226 has a threaded distal end 228 as detailed below. In the combined knife, the sleeve 218 and the pivot screw 226 extend through the pivot hole 230 in the blade 206, and the threaded distal end 228 of the pivot screw is threaded into the inner bore 224 to retain the positioning sleeve. 218; as described below, neither the pivot screw nor the sleeve retains the blade 206 in the grip unless the sleeve extends through a pivot hole in the blade. The cylindrical recess 216 includes a groove 232 that is radiated outwardly by the pivot screw 226 and assembled to receive one of the legs of the spring 220. A detachable stop pin 231 is disposed directly above the recess 216.

Spring 220 is a torsion spring having a structure and function similar to springs 96 and 98 previously described. Therefore, the spring 220 has a body length L2 and a diameter D3 (the sizes L2 and D3 are not shown in the 20th figure but correspond to the same size shown in L2 and D3 in FIG. 7). The spring 220 is a flat wire spring as described above and has straight leg portions 100 and 102, and the straight leg portions 100 and 102 define a spring end that is radiated externally by the body of the spring.

Referring to the exploded view of Fig. 20, the sleeve 218 is a housing having a side wall of a cylindrical housing body, and the housing has a concave annular frame 234 and a central shaft hole 236 at one end, and the central shaft Aperture 236 enters the interior of the housing through the annular frame. The inside of the sleeve 218 is open to receive and hold the spring 220. The end of the sleeve 218 that abuts the grip side wall 208 in the combination knife includes a tab 238 that is received in a recess (not shown) in one of the recesses 216. It will be appreciated that when the sleeve is fully inserted into the recess 216 and the tab 238 is received in the notch, the sleeve is fixed and cannot be rotated relative to the grip. The diameter of the sleeve 218 is only slightly smaller than the diameter of the pivot hole 230 and the recess 216 through the blade 206 such that the sleeve can be inserted through the blade and received in the recess when assembled with tight tolerances therebetween.

A portion of the annular groove 240 is formed in the sidewall of the sleeve 218 midway along the length of the sleeve housing and extends completely through the sidewall into the open interior of the sleeve. Because as seen in Figures 20 and 23 through 25, the groove extends only partially around the circumference of the cylindrical sleeve, preferably at about 180 to 225 degrees, so the groove is sometimes referred to herein as a " Partial annular groove". Preferably, the width of the trench is the same along its length, but at one end of the trench, a trench extension 2462 extends in a direction transverse to the trench to define an enlarged portion. Referring particularly to Figure 20, it can be seen that the sidewalls of the groove extension 246 are sloped - this sloped sidewall is referred to as the sloped sidewall 242.

As noted above, the distal end of the pivot screw 226 is threaded. The pivot screw has a flat disc 244 at the proximal end and a central portion 247 between the proximal and distal ends.

The blade 206 includes a notch 250, and the notch 250 extends outwardly from the pivot hole 230 and is assembled to accommodate the spring 220 when the blade is rotated from open to closed, from closed to open, as described in detail below. Leg 100. The two sides of the notch 250 are inclined on the leg portion 100; in detail, as best shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the first side wall 251 and the opposite second side wall 252 of the notch 250 are formed by the notch The lower surface or bottom surface 254 is inclined upward. The purpose and function of the inclined side wall 252 will be described below. Referring to the particular view of Fig. 21, the first side wall 251 of the notch 250 is to the right of the notch - the second side wall 252 is to the left of the notch.

When the stop pin 231 is removed by the grip side wall 208, the sleeve 218 is first partially inserted through the aperture 230 in the blade and then the spring 220 is inserted into the open interior of the sleeve and the leg 100 extends through A portion of the annular groove 240 and the leg portion 100 are received in a notch 250 in the blade, thereby combining the knife 200 with the blade 206 and the opening assist mechanism 202. The blade 206, sleeve 218 and spring 220 are then aligned and docked against the sidewall 208, and the blade is oriented approximately 90 degrees past the normal stop position (i.e., the blade is oriented upwardly relative to the grip). In this position, the leg portion 102 of the spring 220 is inserted into the notch 232 and the spring is in a relaxed condition. The blade is then rotated toward the closed position and the stop pin 231 is threaded into the grip side wall 208; this winding the spring causes the spring to be subjected to a fixed spring tension throughout the assembly knife. The sleeve 218 is rotated relative to the grip such that the tab 238 is received in the mating notch in the recess 216. It will be appreciated that when the leg portion 102 of the spring 220 is in the groove 232, the leg portion 102 is fixed relative to the grip side wall 208, and since the tab 238 is received in the notch, the sleeve is opposite the The grip is fixed. As another configuration, the leg portion 102 can be secured to a notch of the sleeve 218 rather than the grip itself; the leg portion 102 is secured relative to the grip. In either manner, the pivot screw 226 is now inserted into the central shaft bore 236 in the sleeve 218 and the distal end 228 is threaded into the threaded bore 224. When the pivot screw is locked, the flat disc 244 at the proximal end of the pivot screw is received in the annular frame 234. When the sleeve 218 is locked, a portion of the annular groove 240 is positioned directly below the plane defined by the outer surface 260 of the shank portion 262 of the blade 206. However, the notch 250 in the blade is recessed into the tang portion 262 relative to the plane of the outer surface 260, and as shown best at Figure 21, the notch 250 opens into and communicates with the portion of the sleeve 218. Part of the annular groove 240. Thus, when the blade 206 is rotated from closed to open, or from open to closed, the notch 250 is passed through the entire rotation to a portion of the annular groove 240. Moreover, as best shown in FIG. 21, the groove extension 246 extends to a height above the plane of the outer surface 260 of the blade. Thus, when the blade is near and in the closed position, the leg 100 of the spring 220 can rise away from the notch 250 in the blade and rest on the outer surface 260 of the blade, as shown.

As can be seen from the examination of Figures 20 and 21, at this stage of assembly, the blade 206 is only held in position by the leg portion 100 of the spring 220 relative to the grip side wall 208, and the leg portion 100 of the spring 220 extends therein. The shank portion 262 of the blade is on the outer surface 260 and, for example, enters the notch 250 or, as shown in Fig. 21, rests on the outer surface 260. In other words, although the bushing 218 is attached to the grip side wall 208 with a pivot screw 226, the blade 206 is not directly attached to the grip or the pivot screw. Instead, the blade is held in place by the interaction of the legs 100 of the spring 220 only as previously described. As is typical in the industry, manufacturing tolerances between various structural components are quite small. Therefore, even if the side wall 210 is not assembled, the sway between the blade and the side wall 208 when the blade is rotated is very small. This structural relationship between the blade and the grip provides significant assembly benefits as detailed below.

When the blade 206 is assembled with the grip side wall 208, the blade is moved into the closed position and the stop pin 231 is mounted in the side wall as shown in FIG. Since the blade is held in this position, the opening assist mechanism can only be fully operated with one of the side walls 208 of the grip 204 that is combined with the blade.

The operation of the opening assist mechanism 202 will now be described with reference to a series of 22A, 22B, 22C and 23, 24 and 25 drawings, and the blade 206 begins at the open position shown in Figs. 22A and 25. It should be noted that in the 22A, 22B and 22C drawings, the second side wall 210 is screwed (not shown) extending from a side wall to the first side wall 208 along a plurality of slots of the knife, and is inserted through A side wall 210 and a screw 263 threaded into the proximal end of the pivot screw 226 are attached to the first side wall 208. Referring to Figure 25, when the blade is in the open position, a shoulder 266 on the shank portion 262 of the blade 206 abuts the stop pin 231 so that the blade cannot be rotated (Fig. 25). Stop position. As described in more detail below, in the open stop position, the spring 220 is "loaded" and pushed against the blade such that the blade is held in the open stop position. (Also in this position, a blade lock pin 264 engages the blade to prevent unintentional movement of the blade from the open stop position to the closed position. The locking mechanism including the blade lock pin 264 shown in the figures is not one of the present inventions. In this open stop position, the leg 100 of the spring 220 is retained in a portion of the annular groove 240 of the sleeve 218 and extends into the notch 250 of the blade 206, and because the spring 220 is wound, Therefore, the leg portion 100 pushes against the side wall 252 of the 205 with an elastic force. This spring force applied by the blade maintains the blade in the open (and locked, stopped) position. As previously mentioned, in addition to the groove extension 246, the portion of the annular groove 240 is below the plane defined by the outer surface 260 of the blade 206. Therefore, when the blade is rotated, the groove is at the same height as the notch 250. In other words, the trench is connected to and communicates with the gap 250 along the entire length of the trench. However, at the groove extension 246, the portion of the annular groove 240 opens into the two notches 250 and the tang outer surface 260. This is best shown in Figure 22A. Thus, in the open position of Figures 22A and 25 (and all blade positions except for the closed position described below), the leg portion 100 is retained in the notch 250 by a portion of the annular groove 240. Although the side wall 252 is inclined, the leg portion 100 cannot span the slope because the leg portion is restrained and retained in the portion of the annular groove 240. It will be appreciated that as described above, when the leg 100 is in the groove 240, the leg is applied along the plane of rotation of the blade except when the blade is closed or nearly closed and the leg 100 rests on the outer surface 260. The elastic force is on the blade. When the leg 100 is on the outer surface 260, the leg is applied to the blade in a direction transverse to the plane of rotation of the blade.

By first unlocking any locking mechanism that can be in use (for example, see Figure 24, the locking pin 264 is moved toward the rear end of the knife grip such that the shank of the blade disengages the locking pin when the blade is rotated), the blade 206 is moved by the opening, stopping and locking positions of Fig. 25. The arrow A in Fig. 24 shows the direction of rotation of the blade when it is moved from the beginning to the closing. As the blade rotates, the leg portion 100 of the spring 220 remains in the partial annular groove 240 and the leg pushes against the sidewall 252 of the notch 250 in the blade. Again, the spring is wound such that it provides resistance to rotation of the blade as it rotates in the direction of arrow A. In addition, the blade is further wound in this direction of rotation and applies a load to the spring and thus increases the spring force exerted by the spring on the blade. Because the partial annular groove 240 is directly below the plane defined by the outer surface 260 of the blade 206, the leg portion 100 remains in the partial annular groove 240 and the notch 250 in this rotated state. As the rotation of the blade 206 continues from open to closed, the notch 250 of the blade and the leg portion 100 of the spring are finally aligned with the groove extension 246 in the sleeve 218. When the blade is rotated close to the closed position (starting from Fig. 22B and moving to Fig. 22C, and Fig. 23), the leg 100 enters the point in the partial annular groove 240 so that the leg 100 can move upward. Along the inclined side wall 252 and away from the body of the spring and into the groove extension 2462 - that is, the leg slides over the inclined side wall 250 and then up to the inclined side wall 242 of the groove extension 246 that is now aligned. When the leg 100 moves in this direction and as the blade continues to rotate, the leg is pushed up the inclined surface of the sidewall 252 of the notch 250 and into the groove extension 246. Once the leg has risen a sufficient distance into the groove extension 246, the leg slides over the outer surface 260 of the blade under the force of the spring that drives the leg toward the open position, such as Figure 21 shows. Since the leg is restrained by the groove extension 246 of the sleeve 218 which is fixed to the side wall 208 as previously described and which cannot be rotated, the leg 100 can no longer be rotated in the opening direction beyond the position shown in Fig. 21.

The generally or "resting" position of the leg portion 100 relative to a portion of the annular groove 240 is where the leg is held in the groove. Therefore, the abutment position of the spring 220 is shown in Fig. 20 and all the coils of the spring constituting the body are held to abut relatively close to each other. Thus, when the leg is tied over the outer surface 260, as shown in Fig. 21, the coils of the springs are slightly separated from each other as the leg 100 moves away from the abutment position. Thus, there is a downward force exerted by the leg on the surface of the blade - the leg 100 is generally urged toward its abutment position - transverse to the plane of rotation of the blade. However, once the leg is present at the position on the outer surface 260, the rotational spring force exerted by the spring on the blade is stopped because the leg is restrained by the groove extension 246 as described above, so that all rotational elastic forces are applied. On the sleeve 218. As mentioned above, there is a pressure exerted by the leg 100 on the blade; this force helps the blade to remain in the closed position generally before it is intentionally moved to the open position as described below. When a locking mechanism, such as one that is coupled to the locking pin 264, is used, the locking pin (which is driven forward by a plurality of springs not shown in the illustration of Fig. 23) further holds the blade in the closed position. The blade 206 is moved from the closed position to the open position by rotating the blade in a direction opposite to the arrow A in Fig. 24. As the blade rotates, the leg 100 slides over the surface of the shank 262 of the blade until the notch 250 is against the agent leg 100. Once the notch 250 is aligned with the leg 100, the leg assumes its generally "but" position relative to the portion of the annular groove 240 and thus moves down the inclined side wall 252 and into the notch 250. When this occurs, the legs 100 align and enter the portion of the annular groove 240 and are free to "unwind". Therefore, the leg portion 100 pushes against the side wall 252 of the notch 250 and because the leg has entered the portion of the annular groove and is confined therein, the spring rapidly drives the blade into the opening and stopping under the action of the elastic force. Lock the position.

As previously discussed, the structural components defining the opening assist mechanism 202 allow the blade 206 to be attached to and assembled with the opening assist mechanism by assembling only one of the side walls 208, 210. Therefore, when the blade is partially assembled as shown in Fig. 21, even if the blade is only held by the leg portion 100 of the spring 202, the opening assist mechanism can fully function. This provides Significant manufacturing and assembly economic benefits. In detail, the opening assist mechanism and the locking position can be adjusted when assembled before the two grip side walls are fixed and positioned. For example, the stop pin described in U.S. Patent No. 7,278,213, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. When used in a knife having the opening assist mechanism 202, such as shown in Fig. 20, as disclosed in one of the '213 patents, the technician can adjust the knife operation and locking very quickly during assembly. Moreover, because the blade is fixedly positioned with only one of the side walls attached, the assembly of the entire blade is more efficient due to the significantly reduced manual proficiency required to assemble all of the various components. Further, as in the series of the 22A, 22B and 22C drawings, the screw 263 is exposed to the outside of the blade. This allows a user to adjust the amount of blade sway without affecting the operation of the opening assist mechanism 202. Therefore, since the leg portion 100 also holds the positioning blade 206 even when the side wall 210 is removed, a user can completely remove the screw 263 without separating the opening assist mechanism. Many users need to "customize" their knives by changing the speed at which the knife opens, or by changing the sway between the blade and the grip. The above-described opening assist mechanism allows the user to customize without the risk of disassembling a complex opening assist mechanism.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art should understand that the spirit and scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, but may be extended to the scope of the following claims. Various modifications and equivalents.

10. . . Knife

12. . . Grip

14. . . blade

16,18. . . Side wall section

17. . . Bag clip

17,21. . . pad

19,23. . . Outer panel

20. . . Separator

twenty two. . . Screw

twenty four. . . Working part

26. . . Shank part

28. . . Blade pin

30. . . Sharp edge

32. . . No front edge

34. . . Thumb operating lug

36. . . Blade storage slot; screw

38. . . Screw

39. . . Screw hole

40,42. . . hole

44. . . Sleeve

45. . . Lip

46. . . Pivot hole

47. . . Column pit

48. . . Blade stop

50. . . washer

52. . . Pit hole

54. . . Screw

56. . . Locking mechanism

57. . . Blade lock pin

60. . . Opening auxiliary mechanism

62. . . Concave

64. . . Base surface

66. . . surface

68. . . Step

70. . . Trench

72. . . Tilted section

74. . . Forming a fan-shaped part outward

80. . . Bushing

81. . . hole

82. . . Cylindrical member

83. . . Closed end

84,86,88. . . Flat part

85. . . Stop

89. . . Cylindrical wall

90. . . First gap

92. . . Second gap

94. . . Inner annular edge

96,98. . . spring

100,102. . . Leg

101. . . Spiral body part

200. . . Knife

202. . . Opening auxiliary mechanism

204. . . Grip

206. . . blade

208,210. . . Side wall

212. . . The inner surface

214. . . First recess

216. . . Cylindrical recess

218. . . Bushing

220. . . spring

222. . . Cylindrical internal stud

224. . . Threaded bore

226‧‧‧ pivot screw

228‧‧‧ distal

230‧‧‧ pivot hole

231‧‧‧Distribution

232‧‧‧ trench

234‧‧‧Ring frame

236‧‧‧Central shaft hole

238‧‧‧ tongue

240‧‧‧Partial annular groove

242‧‧‧ sloping side walls

244‧‧‧flat disc

246‧‧‧ trench extension

247‧‧‧Central Part

250‧‧‧ gap

251‧‧‧First side wall

252‧‧‧second side wall

254‧‧‧lower or bottom surface

260‧‧‧ outer surface

262‧‧‧ shank part

263‧‧‧ screws

264‧‧‧Locking

266‧‧‧ shoulder

A‧‧‧Arrow (direction)

D1‧‧‧first diameter

D2‧‧‧second diameter

D3‧‧‧diameter

L1‧‧‧ height

L2‧‧‧ body length

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first illustrated embodiment of a knife having an opening assist mechanism of the present invention, and the blade of the blade of Figure 1 is in the locked open position.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the blade shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a side view similar to Figure 2, and the blade position shown is intermediate between the open position and the closed position.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the knife shown in Figure 3 showing the blade in a fully closed position.

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the knife of Figure 1 showing the selected components.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the torsion springs.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of another relative torsion spring.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of one of the bushings.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the shank portion of the blade showing the blade pocket portion in which a torsion spring is disposed.

Figures 10 through 13 show schematically a series of structural steps that occur when the blade is rotated from the open position to the closed position.

Figure 10 is a side, semi-schematic and cross-sectional view showing the structure of the automatic assist mechanism when the blade is in the fully open and locked position.

Figure 11 is a side, semi-schematic and cross-sectional view showing the structure of the automatic assist mechanism when the blade has been rotated about 60 degrees from the fully closed position toward the open position.

Figure 12 is a side, semi-schematic and cross-sectional view showing the structure of the automatic assist mechanism when the blade has been rotated about 40 degrees from the fully closed position toward the open position.

Figure 13 is a side, semi-schematic and cross-sectional view showing the structure of the automatic assist mechanism when the blade is in the closed position.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary top cross-sectional view of Figure 1 taken through the front portion of the grip showing the blade in the open position.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary top cross-sectional view taken through the same position as Figure 14, but showing the blade in the closed position.

Figures 16 through 19 are a series of semi-schematic and semi-cross-sectional views showing the blade, torsion spring and bushing during a series of events occurring when the blade is rotated from the open position to the closed position.

Figure 16 shows the structural configuration of the blades, torsion springs and bushings when the blade is in the open position. Figure 16 roughly corresponds to Figure 10.

Figure 17 shows the structural configuration of the blades, torsion springs and bushings when the blade is rotated about 120 degrees from the fully open position toward the closed position. Figure 17 roughly corresponds to Figure 11.

Figure 18 shows the structural configuration of the blades, torsion springs and bushings when the blade is rotated about 140 degrees from the fully open position toward the closed position. Figure 18 roughly corresponds to Figure 12.

Figure 19 shows the structural configuration of the blades, torsion springs and bushings when the blade is in the closed position. Figure 19 roughly corresponds to Figure 13.

Figures 20 to 25 show another preferred embodiment of one of the opening assist mechanisms of the present invention. In detail,

Figure 20 is a perspective and partial cross-sectional view showing a selection structure of a blade of one of the opening assist mechanisms of the present invention, and shows various components in an exploded view.

Figure 21 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the selected structure of the blade shown in Figure 20, showing the blade assembled with a side wall of a grip and the blade being in the closed position.

Fig. 22A is a cross-sectional view showing the selection structure of the blade shown in Fig. 20, and the blade is in the fully open position.

Figure 22B is a cross-sectional view of the knife shown in Figure 22A, and the blade is rotated to an intermediate position between fully open and fully closed, and the leg of the spring engages the blade in a position to the blade Drive from this off to on.

Figure 22C is a cross-sectional view of the knife shown in Figures 22A and 22B with the blade in the fully closed position.

Figure 23 is a plan view of the knife having the opening assist mechanism shown in Figure 20, and the proximal side wall is removed to expose the blade and the opening assist mechanism and the blade is in the closed position.

Figure 24 is a plan view similar to Figure 23, but showing the blade in an intermediate position when it is moved from the opening to the closed position.

Figure 25 is a plan view similar to Figures 22 and 23, but showing the blade in the fully open position.

10‧‧‧Knife

14‧‧‧blade

22‧‧‧ screws

23‧‧‧Outer board

24‧‧‧Working part

32‧‧‧No edge

34‧‧‧ thumb operating lugs

44‧‧‧ sleeve

48‧‧‧ Blade pin

56‧‧‧Locking mechanism

Claims (20)

A folding knife comprising: a grip defined by separate first and second grip halves; a blade rotatably coupled between the grip halves, the blade having a pass therethrough One of the shank has a cylindrical pivot hole and the shank defines a shank surface surrounding the pivot hole, and the blade has a radial groove in the shank surface, and the blade can Moving from a closed position to an open position along a rotational path; a sleeve extending through the pivot hole and fixed relative to the first grip half, and the sleeve has a cylindrical body, an open interior and An annular groove extending around a portion of the cylindrical body, the groove having a closed end and extending transversely to the axis of the cylindrical body, and opening through the body into the sleeve Internal; and a spring in the sleeve, the spring having a first leg extending through the annular groove such that the first leg extends into the blade when a portion of the rotational path is The radial groove in the tang, wherein the portion is less than all Rotational path. The folding knife of claim 1, wherein the annular groove has a first closed end and a second closed end, and wherein the second closed end defines an extended notch portion. The folding knife of claim 2, wherein the annular groove has a first width along a length thereof and a width at the extended notch portion is greater than the first width. A folding knife as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tang surface is defined A plane and the annular groove are below the plane. A folding knife according to claim 4, wherein the annular groove is aligned with the radial groove in the tang of the blade such that the annular groove is in communication with the radial groove. A folding knife according to claim 5, wherein the annular groove communicates with the radial groove during the entire rotational path of the blade from the closed position to the open position. A folding knife according to claim 2, wherein the annular groove is in the plane of the extended notch defined by the blade having a tang surface. A folding knife according to claim 1, wherein the first leg does not extend into the radial groove when in one of the rotational paths. A folding knife according to claim 8 wherein the first leg is positioned on the tang surface when the blade is in the closed position. The folding knife of claim 1, wherein the spring further comprises a second leg fixed relative to the grip. A folding knife according to claim 1, wherein the radial groove has a bottom surface and a plurality of opposing side walls, and wherein at least one of the opposite side walls is inclined with respect to the bottom surface. A folding knife comprising: a grip defined by separate first and second grip halves; a blade coupled between the grip halves and movable along a plane of rotation of the blade The closed position is rotated to an open position, and the tang defines a tangential surface that surrounds one of the holes through the tang; a housing extending through the aperture, and the housing has a body, an open interior and a housing groove, the housing groove partially extending around the housing, the housing groove passing through The housing opens into the open interior; and a spring in the housing, the spring having a leg extending through the housing groove such that the leg contacts the blade and applies an elastic force on the blade The blade is driven to the open position wherein the leg applies an elastic force to the housing when the blade is in the closed position but is not applied to the blade. A folding knife according to claim 12, comprising a radial groove in the tang surface, and the radial groove extends through the hole through the tang. The folding knife of claim 13, wherein the housing groove has a first housing groove portion communicating with a radial groove in the blade and leading to the tang surface, and a passage to a radial groove in the blade and a second housing groove portion adjacent the tang surface. A folding knife according to claim 14 wherein the leg contacts the radial groove when the portion of the blade is rotated from the closed position to the open position. A folding knife according to claim 14 wherein the leg does not contact the radial groove when the blade is in the closed position. A folding knife according to claim 15 wherein when the leg contacts the radial groove, the leg exerts an elastic force on the blade in a direction parallel to the plane of rotation of the blade. For example, the folding knife of claim 16 of the patent scope, wherein when the blade is at the In the closed position, the leg contacts the tang surface. A folding knife according to claim 18, wherein when the leg contacts the tang surface, the leg exerts an elastic force on the blade in a direction transverse to the plane of rotation of the blade. A method of opening a blade, the blade being movable from a closed position to an open position along a rotational path defining a plane of the blade, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a bushing having a central opening and a Extending partially around the annular passage of the sleeve, the annular passage opening to the central opening and having a closed opposite end; (b) inserting a spring into the sleeve and causing a first leg of the spring Extending through the annular passage in the sleeve; (c) inserting the sleeve through a hole in the blade, and fixing the sleeve to the first leg of the spring in contact with the blade a first grip half whereby the blade is held with the first leg of the spring relative to the first grip half; and (d) securing a second leg of the spring to The first grip half.